TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The construction of the new Kulon Progo airport in Yogyakarta province is set to begin in May 2016.
The decision was made after Vice President Jusuf Kalla visited the location of the airport situated in Temon district, Kulon Progo regency, Yogyakarta.
“The Vice President has visited the location for the airport. The groundbreaking of the construction is expected to be done in May 2016 and the construction is expected to be finished in 2019," said Vice President spokesperson Husain Abdullah through a text message on Saturday (2/1).
Husain also said that the issue of land acquisition that has so far been an obstacle has been settled.
During the visit to the location, Jusuf Kalla was accompanied by National Development Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono, Board of Directors of State-owned Airport Operator PT Angkasa Pura I, Board of Directors of State-owned Train Operator Direksi PT Kereta Api Indonesia, and Kulon Progo Regent Hasto Wardoyo.
For the record, the development of the new airport is currently still in the phase of dissemination and land measurement. The land measurement was once delayed because the budget of land measurement proposed by Yogyakarta National Land Agency (BPN) was considered to have exceeded the amount set by the regulation of the Finance Minister.
The new international airport will be built in the land covering 637 hectares area with the size of the runway reaching 3,250 meter. The airport is also expected to accommodate 10 million passengers per year.
FAIZ NASHRILLAH
