TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Transportation Ministry is aiming to complete the development of Blimbingsari Airport in Banyuwangi by August 2018. Director General of Air Transport Agus Santoso said that the infrastructure will be welcoming aircraft carrying finance ministers across the globe who will attend the IMF-World Bank meeting in Bali next year. “It’s an opportunity for Banyuwangi to have an international airport,” he told a press conference last week.
Blimbingsari Airport development is carried out by the central and local governments in a bid to improve airport services and anticipate an increase in passenger and cargo traffic.
Agus explained that Blimbingsari will be turned into a parking area for and alternative to Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport. He said that state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II has made investment in the project.
Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas has expressed his appreciation to the central government for developing the airport.
Blimbingsari Airport started operations in 2010 with runway length of 1,400 meters and width of 30 meters. The runway has now been extended to 2,250 meters. The airport with green building concept has a capacity of 280,000 passengers per year.
Banyuwangi has welcomed 264,689 passengers as of 2016.
DANANG FIRMANTO | DAVID PRIYASIDHARTA (BANYUWANGI)
