TEMPO.CO, Tangerang - State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura II (AP II) president director Muhammad Awaluddin said the newly-launched Kertajati Airport would begin catering to commercial and hajj flights this year.
“We have made operational preparations for the first commercial flight scheduled on D day-7 of Eid-al-Fitr,” he said on Friday, May 25, 2018.
Awaluddin said the airport sought to offer new alternatives for Eid homecomers, and later this year, in tandem with red flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, would serve hajj debarkation and embarkation with flight routes of Kertajati-Cengkareng-Jeddah.
“There will be five batches of hajj pilgrims flying from Kertajati in total,” he said.
Read: Citilink to Serve Flight from Surabaya to Kertajati Airport
The operation and development of Kertajati International Airport is slated to go through multiple stages. In the initial stage, the terminal is targeted to measure 96,000 square meters with a passenger capacity of 5-12 million passengers annually. In the ultimate stage, the airport will measure 209,151 square meters with a passenger capacity of 29.3 million passengers per year.
The airport's construction, which kicked off in 2016, is targeted for completion in 2032. Awaluddin said he hoped the airport would contribute positively to the nation's economy, particularly West Java.
AP II will also implement the Smart Airport system in Kertajati Airport to meet passengers' needs via its digital platforms and operational activities in a bid to improve customer experience.
AYU CIPTA
