Third runway of Soekarno-Hatta Airport to start operating in July

President Joko Widodo on Friday (21/06) observed the progress development of the third runway of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten province. The President was accompanied by State Secretary Minister Pratikno.

"We see the construction of the third runway of Soekarno-Hatta Airport has been 86 percent complete. We hope this runway will be 100 percent complete at the end of this month and can immediately operate. It could start operating in July," President Joko Widodo said.

The third runway is desperately needed in order to accommodate growing flights in this busy  Soekarno-Hatta international airport.

Once operated, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport could serve 120 flights (take-off and landing) per hour, increased from current 81 flights.

A number of aircraft operators from a number countries, such as Qatar, Saudi, India, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan have requested to use the Soekarno-Hatta as their destination.

The next phase, said the President, the airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II will develop fourth terminal to anticipate growing passengers, following the operation of the fourth run-way.

President Joko Widodo hopes the fourth terminal construction can be started in 2021.

Editing by Roffie Kurniawan