Indonesian President Joko Widodo recently inaugurated the Rembele Airport in Bener Meria district, Aceh Province, following its recent expansion and renovation.
With the improvements, the airport will become the main gateway of the Central Aceh highlands, and will facilitate access for tourists and businesses to the area to develop its potentials.
The highlands are famous for their natural attractions and the Gayo coffee that is exported to Europe.
“The airport, whose construction began in early 2000, has a role in stimulating economic growth in the central region of Aceh,” stated Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah, as quoted by Antara News in a news report.
The development of both air and land infrastructure facilities in Rembele was carried out between 2014 and 2015. Construction works included extending the runway from the original 30 by 1,400 meters to 30 by 2,250 meters. Additionally, the apron was extended from 80 by 106 meters to 95 by 150 meters.
The airport terminal was also expanded from 400 square meters to 1,000 square meters, and its interiors revamped. Following the expansion, the terminal is projected to be able to accommodate 200,000 passengers per year.
The airport will likewise be able to serve Boeing 737 aircraft, unlike previously when only the Fokker 50 or CN-235 aircraft could land in the area.
Rembele Airport is located in the Gampong Bale Atu, Bener Meriah district, at an altitude of some 1,400 meters above sea level.
Debt-ridden airline to be privatized
In related news, the government expects to complete the comprehensive restructuring of cash-strapped state-run carrier Merpati Nusantara Airlines later this year.
The services of the airline were suspended in early 2014 due to cashflow problems, including an inability to obtain fuel on credit, obliging the company to pay cash.
A major domestic airline, Merpati used to operate scheduled services to more than 25 destinations in Indonesia, as well as to East Timor and Malaysia, from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
“We want Merpati to continue to exist. This month, all the obligations towards employees will be completed, and that will be the basis to continue the privatization of Merpati,” Aloysius K. Ro, Deputy State Enterprises Minister for Restructuring and Business Development, said recently.
The State Enterprises Ministry is proposing to the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs to endorse the privatization of Merpati, he said.
“We are waiting for a letter of approval from the privatization committee and will later ask for a seal of approval from the House of Representatives to continue the privatization of Merpati,” he said.
As part of the privatization program, the government will invite strategic investors to invest in the carrier, he said.
Photo: Rachmat04
