BANYUWANGI – Ministry of Communications (Ministry of Transportation) giving a positive signal to turn Banyuwangi Airport into an international airport. Various stakeholders have sat together to discuss these preparations.
“Alhamdulillah, Not long ago, we were all invited to a meeting at the Ministry of Transportation office which was attended by all stakeholders, including the directors of PT Angkasa Pura II, immigration, and the Indonesian Aviation Navigation Service Provider (AirNav),"said Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas, Tuesday (11/9/2018).
In the meeting chaired by the Director of Airports of the Ministry of Transportation, Polana B Pramesti, accelerated steps are mapped to turn Banyuwangi Airport into an international airport.
“The quick response made by the Ministry of Transportation shows the real commitment of the central government to continue to encourage regional development and create new economic growth in the regions.,” clear Anas.
Anas explains, The Directorate of Airports of the Ministry of Transportation will immediately propose Banyuwangi Airport to become an international airport after all requirements/recommendations have been met and field verification has been carried out.
“Expected date 22 September 2018 will be verified by the Ministry of Transportation on all the requirements needed. So that during the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting, The Ministry of Transportation targets Banyuwangi Airport to become an international airport,” said Anas.
Therefore, Prior to the verification process, a number of parties immediately made preparations. Head of Banyuwangi Transportation Service Kusiyadi said, PT Angkasa Pura II as the operator of Banyuwangi Airport will renovate the VIP building to become an international terminal before it is built permanently. AP II also immediately submitted a Customs Area Permit to the Customs Office (Custom).
“Because the Customs Area Permit is a requirement in determining it to become an international airport. Associated with Custom facilities, Immigration, dan Quarrantine (CIQ), AP II is ready to facilitate the required facilities, but human resources remain from the ministry,” clear Kusiyadi.
Meanwhile, Banyuwangi Airport Executive General Manager Anton Marthalius is enthusiastic about accelerating the plan.
according to her, the quick response made by the Ministry of Transportation to the plan was based on the positive performance that was successfully recorded by Banyuwangi Airport, where the average passenger reaches 1.400 people per day.
Besides that, said Anton, Banyuwangi Airport has become an international airport not only because it is related to the Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund World Bank (IMF-WB) but also because of the demand from airlines to serve international routes.
“Citilink wants to open the Kuala Lumpur route – Banyuwangi at the end 2018 this. Even, has invited Malaysian travel agencies to prepare tour packages for Malaysian tourists,” concluded Anton.
