Ngloram Airport Operates Again, Jokowi: Designed Like Again Under A Teak Forest

President Jokowi at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport before leaving for Blora (Photo via Setkab)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated the Ngloram Airport in Cepu, Blora Regency, Central Java. The design reinforces Blora which is famous for its teak forests.

"Alhamdulillah, this morning we can see that Ngloram Airport in Cepu, Blora Regency, Central Java Province is ready to be used by the community," said President Jokowi at Ngloram Airport, Blora, Central Java on Friday, December 17.

During the inauguration, President Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, and other relevant officials.

"This airport has a runway, 1,500 meters long so that it can be used for ATR aircraft," added President Jokowi.

President Jokowi repeated the statement by the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi that there were already flights serving the airport twice a week.

"And it is always full and we hope that later if it is full and the runway of 1,500 meters is not enough, we will extend it to 2,000 meters," said President Jokowi.

The presence of Ngolram Airport is expected to accelerate economic activity in the Regencies of Blora, Bojonegoro, Tubang, Ngawi, Purwodadi to Rembang.

"I think it's closer if you want to fly from Ngolram Airport. We hope that economic activity will get better, investment will enter Cepu, Bojonegoro more and more, distribution of goods from region to region and from province to province will also increase and get better," added President Jokowi.

Not to forget the mobilization of people between provinces, islands, cities, and districts can all be further improved.

President Jokowi also praised the design of the 27-hectare airport passenger terminal.

"I saw earlier that the terminal is also large enough to accommodate approximately 210 thousand passengers per year, very large. It is designed like we are under a teak forest because Blora is indeed very famous for its teak forest and this is also very good," said President Jokowi.

Currently, Citilink has been operating at Ngloram Airport since November 26, 2021, serving flights from Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to Ngloram Airport twice a week, every Monday and Friday.

Ngloram Airport can be an alternative for connectivity and accessibility for people in Central Java, including in Blora, Bojonegoro, and surrounding areas.

Previously, Ngloram Airport was an airport owned by PT Pertamina (Persero) which was built to support the company's operations and has not operated since 1984. Ngloram Airport was rebuilt by the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) in 2019 to 2021 using the APBN.

The Ministry of Transportation is developing runway extensions, coatings, making taxiways, aprons, safety fences, and passenger terminals with a budget of Rp132 billion.

The design for the construction of the airport terminal is the work of the architect who won the airport design competition. Ngloram Airport has a runway of 1,500x30 meters, a taxiway of 142x23 meters, an apron of 90x60 meters, and a passenger terminal covering an area of 3,526 square meters.

This airport accommodates the landing of ATR 72 aircraft. Ngloram Airport has a passenger terminal covering an area of 3,600 square meters which has a capacity of up to 210 thousand passengers per year.