Luhut Thanked Conglomerate Susilo Wonowidjojo's Gudang Garam: Kediri's Dhoho Airport Progress Is Very Good

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan appreciated the progress of the construction of Dhoho International Airport in Kediri Regency, East Java, which he considered quite fast.

"Seven months ago we came here with Mr. Sofyan, the progress is very good. This will have a (positive) impact in Southern East Java," said Minister Luhut during a visit to the airport in Kediri Regency, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, December 1.

He also emphasized that with the existence of this airport, people in Pacitan, Trenggalek, Tulungagung, Kediri, and surrounding areas no longer need to go to Surabaya to access air transportation. Moreover, toll road infrastructure support will accelerate inter-regional connectivity.

"Thanks to Gudang Garam, we see that the investment is not small, Rp8 trillion to Rp9 trillion," said Luhut.

He also invited all parties to support the construction of this airport and toll road in order to improve the economy of the community, especially in the southern region of East Java, including the completion of land acquisition, which currently has 1.7 hectares remaining.

He also said that the construction of the Dhoho international airport was a national strategic project. Although currently there is still the completion of land acquisition, it is hoped that it will not be hampered.

The government, he said, had given concessions to the landowners who were freed with a large compensation value.

"We all have to support. The Police and the TNI will help with security, including the local government," said Luhut.

The Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning as well as the National Land Agency Sofyan A. Jalil who also participated in the visit added that his party was committed to assisting in the settlement of the land management needed for airport construction.

"My job is to help with land acquisition. BPN Team must be more proactive. What Gudang Garam has done is extraordinary for the region," said Sofyan.

Meanwhile, the Director of PT Gudang Garam Tbk Istata Taswin Siddharta targets the construction of Dhoho International Airport to be completed by the end of 2022 and ready to operate in mid-2023. Currently, the progress of construction at the artwork stage has reached 80 percent.

"One of the goals of this airport development is to increase connectivity and improve development disparities in the southern part of East Java. The area around the airport will also grow to become a new economic center," said Istata.

In addition, PT Gudang Garam Tbk through its subsidiaries will also build access to the airport along 7.2 kilometers as part of the 37-kilometer Kediri - Tulungagung Toll Road series, bringing the total length of the toll road to 43 kilometers.

This airport was built by PT Surya Dhoho Investama (a subsidiary of PT Gudang Garam Tbk) through the Government Cooperation with Business Entity (PPP) scheme.

Dhoho International Airport in Grogol District, Kediri Regency has a runway of 3,300 meters with a runway width of 45 meters, standing on an area of 371 hectares. With a terminal area of 18,000 square meters, the airport will be able to accommodate 1.5 million passengers every year.

As an international airport, Dhoho Airport also serves international flights for the purposes of Hajj and Umrah.