Revitalization Completed, Halim Airport Can Operate Limited For Military And VIP Flights: September Can Be Commercial

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Halim Perdanakusumah Airport will operate again tomorrow, after being temporarily closed since January 2022. However, its operation is still limited to military purposes, in this case the Indonesian Air Force (AU) and VIP flights.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, after conducting a test run of the runway as a result of the revitalization of Halim Perdanakusumah Airport, Tuesday, July 12.

In the trial, the Minister of Transportation was accompanied by the Commander of the National Air Operations Command, Marshal Andyawan, who represented KASAU. The take-off and landing procession on the Halim Airport runway using a calibration aircraft of the King Air 350i PK-CAP type went smoothly and smoothly.

"Technically, the Halim Airport runway can be used on a limited basis for military exercises and VIP flights starting tomorrow (July 13, 2022), and in September it can be used for commercial purposes," said Minister of Transportation Budi.

Budi said, Halim Airport has not operated since January 2022, due to revitalization. The revitalization step was taken to improve the facilities on the land and air sides, in order to improve aspects of flight safety, security and comfort.

Furthermore, Budi explained that the limited use of the runway is intended to make repairs, if there are deficiencies that must be corrected.

"In addition to the runway, we are also building a terminal for VVIP guests. Commercial operations will be carried out concurrently with the completion of the terminal building," he said.

On this occasion, Minister of Transportation Budi expressed his appreciation to a number of parties, namely the Ministry of Defense, KemenPUPR, Angkasa Pura II, construction contractors, and the ranks of the Ministry of Transportation who have provided good support during the construction.

The progress of the revitalization of Halim Perdanakusuma Airport has so far reached 72.6 percent. The air side works, including the runway, taxiway, and apron, are targeted to be completed by the end of July 2022. Meanwhile, the land side work, including the terminal building, will be completed by the end of August 2022.

In accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 9 of 2022, the scope of the revitalization work is in the form of runway and taxiway restoration; increasing the apron capacity of Naratetama and Naratama aircraft; renovation of the Naratetama and Naratama buildings; renovation of operating buildings; improvement of the drainage system within the airport; and arrangement of other facilities that need to be adjusted due to the revitalization work.