Ombudsman: Kertajati Airport Not Ready to Accommodate Hajj Flight
18 April 2018 12:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ombudsman officially suggested the government to reconsider its plans to utilize the Kertajati Airport to depart Hajj pilgrimage this year.
“It’s too forced and bears a great risk,” said an Ombudsman official Alvin Lie on Tuesday, April 17.
Alvin Lie determined that the length of the new 2.7-kilometer runway is technically unable to fulfill the safety requirement to accommodate wide-body aircraft, such as an Airbus A330 and a Boeing 777, with the full cabin capacity, fuel, and luggage capacity.
Read: Govt Kertajati Airport Ready to Serve 2018 Hajj Embarkation
Furthermore, Alvin revealed that it would be too risky to fly when the weather condition is less than ideal or when other possible technical issues during departure or landing occur. He maintains that Kertajati Airport would be acceptable to be used for the Hajj season if its runway is completed to the intended length of 3,200 meters.
Yesterday, April 17, the Ministry of Transportation confirmed the airport’s readiness as a Hajj pilgrimage supporting infrastructure that will commence in July. The Kertajati Airport is currently entering its final construction phase and has completed 98 percent of its infrastructures.
Muhammad Hendartyo