TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A group of Finance Minister from 10 different countries will land on Banyuwangi Airport following the appointment of the airport as the main transportation support hub for the Annual Meeting IMF-World Bank that will be held in Bali on October 2018

“For the annual IMF-World Bank meeting, around 17,000 delegations will be present. We have made categorizations, there will be delegations from 10 countries planned to land on Banyuwangi,” said Angkasa Pura II Director Mohammad Awaluddin.

The information was revealed by Awaluddin during a meeting with Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas in Banyuwangi on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Angkasa Pura II is the operating company for Banyuwangi Airport.

Development of several infrastructures are being accelerated in relation to the prestigious world-level meeting, starting from extending the runway, expanding the apron, and overlaying the runway. Awaluddin explained that the runway will be extended from 2,250 meters to 2,500 meters. Meanwhile, the runway’s width will be expanded to 45 meters. The runway’s thickness will also be increased to a level of PCN 56.

“The runway overlaying will be conducted by the end of June. The apron will also be expanded by 23,000 square meters, up to a total of 41,000 square meters,” Awaluddin said. All of the construction is expected to be completed on September 2018

“This means, that preparations for the IMF-World Bank meeting is good. With the improved infrastructure specifications, Banyuwangi can be an international airport,” Awaluddin said.

Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas said that the regional government will be ready to support the central government in implementing the important meeting. Azwar has also approved for the VVIP waiting room of the airport to be converted to a flight terminal for international flights.

DAVID PRIYASIDARTA (Contributor)