Dhoho Airport In Kediri Owned By Gudang Garam Conglomerate Susilo Wonowidjojo It Is Hoped That Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya Can Serve Hajj And Umrah Flights

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi during a review of the construction of Dhoho Airport in Kediri, East Java. Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, invites the participation of the private sector to participate in building transportation connectivity on land, sea, air, and rail. This was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation while reviewing the construction of Dhoho Airport in Kediri, East Java, Sunday, July 17.

Dhoho Kediri Airport is one of the airport projects built under the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (PPP) scheme. In this case, the construction was carried out by PT Gudang Garam Tbk (GGRM) owned by conglomerate Susilo Wonowidjojo through its subsidiary PT Surya Dhoho Investama.

"The Dhoho Airport construction project in Kediri can be an example for other private companies. Let's build connectivity on land, sea, air, and rail. We welcome the role of the private sector to participate and we will provide the best regulations", said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya, quoted Monday, July 18.

Furthermore, the Minister of Transportation expressed his appreciation to the Regional Governments, both provincial and district, and PT Gudang Garam, which has supported the airport construction.

"The progress is going well and God willing, according to the plan in October 2023, it can be used", he said.

The presence of this airport is expected to facilitate connectivity between regions, especially in the southern part of East Java, as well as encourage the growth of new economic points, tourism, and trade. In addition, the airport is also expected to be able to serve Hajj and Umrah flights.

"We hope that the presence of this airport can provide prosperity and welfare for the people around Kediri", said the Minister of Transportation.

On the same occasion, the Regent of Kediri, Hanindhito Himawan Pramana, said that Dhoho Airport was the first airport in Indonesia to be built by a private company, in this case, PT Gudang Garam Tbk.

"Kediri will later become the new epicenter of East Java's buffer besides the city of Surabaya", he said.

Until June 2022, the overall construction progress of Dhoho Kediri International Airport has reached around 50 percent. For earthworks, progress has reached 83.16 percent, on the air side or 15.35 percent, and the land side or 3.06 percent.

This airport will have a runway length measuring 3,300 x 60 meters, a commercial apron measuring 548 x 141 meters, a VIP apron measuring 221 x 97 meters, 4 taxiways, and a parking area of 37,108 square meters. On the land side, the airport will have a passenger terminal covering an area of 18,000 square meters with a capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year.

Also attending the review was President Director of PT Surya Dhoho Investama Istata Taswin Siddharta, Expert Staff of the Minister for Investment and Finance of the Ministry of Transportation Otto Ardianto, as well as several Directors of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) and other relevant officials.