VP calls for acceleration of Adi Sutjipto Airport expansion

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has urged Transportation Minister Jusman Syafei Jamal and airport management company PT Angkasa Pura-I President Director Bambang Darwoto to speed up the expansion of Yogyakarta`s Adi Sutjipto airport.

"The expansion of Adi Sutjipto airport has already been planned but I want it finished this year," the vice president said after inspecting the airport on Saturday.

In his unscheduled inspection, the vice president was accompanied by Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, Transportation Minister Jusman Syafei Djamal, Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata, and PT BRI President Director Sofyan Basyir.

Kalla said Yogyakarta Special Province was one of tourist destination and therefore both central government and provincial administration should make every effort to increase the number of both domestic and foreign tourist arrival in Yogyakarta.

But the vice president added that the to increase the number of tourist arrival in the province, Adi Sutjipto airport should be expanded for bigger airplanes.

"The government happens to give economic stimulus this year and one of its objectives is for infrastructure development," the vice president said.

Meanwhile, PT Angkasa Pura-I President Director Bambang Darwoto said Adi Sutjipto airport`s runway would be extended by 300 meters from 2,200 meters to 2,300 meters, in addition to the construction of its other supporting facilities.

According to Bambang, two-hectare plot of land should be cleared from the people for the airport to be extended eastward.

"Based on our calculation, the overall cost of the project is estimated to be Rp927 billion," Bambang said.

Commenting on the land clearance, Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X expressed optimism that it would be completed as soon as possible.

"We have actually cleared one hectare of the two-hectare plot of land for the airport expansion and the other one hectare will follow but the problem is that the owner ask that the price be increased," Sri Sultan said.