TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-run airport operator Angkasa Pura I (AP I) determined to set King Abdul Aziz Airport in Jeddah and Kuwait Airport as its main targets for overseas expansion in 2019.

The corporate secretary Handy Heryudhitiawan said the company's business development team is coordinating intensively with South Korean Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), the partner in the expansion program.

"We hope [to manage the airports] as soon as possible, as we best use the opportunities. However, we must coordinate with our strategic partners [Incheon] for the offers certainty of the two airports in the Middle East," said Handy, Sunday, August 18.

He said that Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) agreed on the planned expansion. They are also considered to be ready to assist the operations.

Handy claimed his corporate has a competitive operational service with IIAC as it received several international scale awards. Yet, IIAC is able to operate with a lower cost structure, he added.

Later, he went on, his company will manage the security and safety operation, while IIAC will manage the strategic partnership.

He assessed that the Middle East region is a strategic choice for expansion because of increasing numbers of Indonesian visiting the region for performing umrah and Hajj pilgrimage every year.

Therefore, service improvement in the two airports in Jeddah and Kuwait is necessary, and the presence of AP I and IIAC is expected to enhance and optimize operations there.

BISNIS