Kotabaru Urges Stagen Airport Acceleration

By Imam Hanafi

Kotabaru, 16/5 (Antaranews, South Kalimantan) - Kotabaru Transportation Agency urged the Ministry of Transportation to accelerate the development of Gusti Syamsir Alam Stagen Airport.

"It is time to develop Stagen so large aircraft can land here," said Head of Air Transportation of Kotabaru Transportation Agency Fahrurozi on Thursday.

According to him, Stagen development can be started by adding the length of the runway and fulfillment of facilities and infrastructure which are still not available at the airport.

Currently, he said, Kotabaru economy is growing and growing and expected to increase rapidly, and it need to be supported by the availability of air transport which is more than adequate than at this time.

Stagen airport runway will be extended to 2,300 meters, in order to serve large aircraft. Currently, its  runway length is 1,650 meter.

Kotabaru Regent H Irhami Ridjani said the government would conduct land acquisition. There will be relocation of the road right at the end of the airport to the south. He admitted, land acquisition budget has been proposed to the Parliament and expected to be approved in 2013. Kotabaru optimistic Stagen airport will increase from the previous class 3 to class 2. When construction is complete, the particular Boeing 737 aircraft with a capacity of 200 passengers will be landed.

Previously, Head of Airport Ir. Yunuikar L Pakondo, through the Aviation Safety and Security Chief M. Katimin, explains, Stagen airport passengers at an average of more than 60 people every day. Passengers are now served by Susi Air with  a capacity of 12 seats, Kalstar with 50 seats, and Wings Air with a capacity of about 72 people.