Happy To See The Airport In Purbalingga, Jokowi: Even Though It's Still An Emergency, The Airport Is Already In Use

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Screenshot)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appreciated General Besar Sudirman Airport in Purbalingga, Central Java. This is because this airport has served flights even though it is still using an emergency terminal.

This he said during a working visit to Central Java Province this morning. In his review, Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, and Purbalingga Regent Dyah Hayuning Pratiwi.

"This is good, I am happy that even though the terminal is still an emergency terminal, it has not been completed, but the airport has been used," Jokowi said in a Youtube video broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat, Friday, June 11.

General Besar Sudirman Airport has started operating since June 1, 2021 and made its first commercial flight on June 3, 2021.

Jokowi considers this condition to be more productive than waiting for the terminal to be completed first, then the flight will be carried out.

For example, last week, Citilink started flights from Jakarta to Purbalingga, then from Purbalingga to Surabaya, with more than 70 percent of passengers.

"I think we will continue to use fast methods like this for other airports that are in the process of being built," he said.

Jokowi hopes that the airport with a runway of 1.6 kilometers long and 30 meters wide will contribute to the economy. Not only in Purbalingga Regency but also in Banyumas, Cilacap, Banjarnegara, Wonosobo, Kebumen, and surrounding areas.

"So, we hope that the mobility of people, the mobility of goods, and the mobility of logistics will be better. Finally, it will contribute to economic growth in this southern part of Central Java," said Jokowi.

This morning, Jokowi departed for Central Java by using the ATR 72-600 Special Aircraft. Jokowi and his entourage took off from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, at around 07.00 WIB.

Next, Jokowi will take off to the Ahmad Yani Army Main Air Base, Semarang City.

Arriving in Semarang, Jokowi immediately moved to the Tanjung Emas Port passenger terminal to review the implementation of the mass vaccination intended for ship users, port workers, communities around the port, to people with disabilities.

In addition, he will also review the construction of the Semarang-Demak toll road section, which is located in the Sidogemah area, Sayung District, Demak Regency.