Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta is being revitalized to increase flight safety and offer greater comfort to state guests visiting Jakarta, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi stated.
"Mr. President has tasked the Transportation Ministry with revamping Halim Airport," Sumadi remarked at a working meeting with the House of Representatives here on Wednesday.
The minister explained that facilities at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, especially the runways, were not adequate.
According to Sumadi, runway utilities at Halim Airport only reached 40 percent of the total requirements, thereby necessitating renovation since in its absence, it might not be operational next year.
The renovation at Halim Airport covers the revamping of runways and taxiways for aircraft parking and take-offs and VIP aprons.
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Moreover, also lined up are some renovations to the airport's drainage and water management systems in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
"The water system was not good, so we coordinate with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing to create (better) water management around Halim," Sumadi revealed.
The minister noted that his team had also continued to coordinate with the Indonesian Defense Forces or TNI, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Defense to conduct the revitalization.
Starting Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport is closed, and all flight operations are moved to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng.
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The ministry also coordinated with the state airport operator Angkasa Pura II to ensure that Soekarno-Hatta Airport can handle flights diverted from Halim Perdanakusuma, Sumadi remarked.
Some airline carriers, such as Citilink, have begun diverting flight operations from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to Soekarno-Hatta from January 26, 2022.
Citilink flight services that were transferred to Soekarno-Hatta Airport comprised flights to and from: Surabaya Juanda International Airport (SUB), Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Silangit International Airport (DTB), and Kualanamu Medan International Airport (KNO).
Citilink's round-trip flight route of Halim (HLP) – Blora (CPF) was changed to Jakarta (CGK) – Surabaya (SUB) – Blora (CPF). Moreover, the round-trip Halim (HLP) – Yogyakarta (JOG) route was redirected to Jakarta (CGK) – Kulonprogo (YIA).
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