Angkasa Pura

75th Anniversary of the Indonesian Air Force, Seeing the Important Role of the Indonesian Air Force in Strengthening Indonesian Air Connectivity, Supporting Aviation and Handling COVID-19

Collaboration between the Indonesian Air Force and AP II is ready to open Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport in April 2021

Jakarta - Exactly today, April 9, 2021, the Indonesian nation will commemorate the 75th Indonesian Air Force Day which takes the theme "Based on a Knight, Loyal, Militant and Professional Spirit, the Indonesian Air Force is Ready to Support the Acceleration of Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery".

"PT Angkasa Pura II expresses the Indonesian Air Force's Dirgahayu, thanks for maintaining the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia, maintaining air connectivity, and supporting the acceleration of handling COVID-19," said President Director of PT Angkasa Pura II Muhammad Awaluddin.

Muhammad Awaluddin said that the Indonesian Air Force also played an important role in maintaining Indonesia's air connectivity, one of which was by opening a military airport for civil aviation (civilian enclave).

The civil enclave airports in AP II are Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II (Palembang), HAS Hanandjoeddin (Belitung) and Jenderal Besar Soedirman (Purbalingga).

"The Indonesian Air Force plays an important role in maintaining Indonesia's air connectivity. Through a collaboration between the Indonesian Air Force, AP II and other stakeholders, the civil enclave airport operates side-by-side military and civilian flights. We thank the Indonesian Air Forces for the support, "explained Muhammad Awaluddin.

Muhammad Awaluddin added that the operation of the civil enclave airport also supports the growth of the national aviation sector.

"Airlines can develop business by opening flight routes in civil enclave airports managed by AP II, and this means further strengthening air connectivity in Indonesia. The collaboration between the Indonesian Air Force and AP II in this civil enclave airport also supports the recovery of the national economy, "said Muhammad Awaluddin.

The Indonesian Air Force also plays a very important role in increasing the capacity of AP II personnel so that they can be more professional in airport management.

Executive General Manager of Halim Perdanakusuma Airport Marsma TNI Nandang Sukarna said that the civilian enclave airport which is jointly operated by the TNI and AP II aims to serve the community.

"Halim Perdanakusuma Airport has been reopened for civil aviation since 2014 to support Soekarno-Hatta Airport and accommodate the growth of civil aviation, so that services to the community are maintained. The community can be served well, and military flights at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport are not disrupted. This is a manifestation of good cooperation between the TNI and partners such as AP II in strengthening air connectivity in Indonesia, "said Marsma TNI Nandang Sukarna.

Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport
Currently AP II and the Air Force are also collaborating to open Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport in Purbalingga, Central Java.

Muhammad Awaluddin said the airport was opened at the end of April 2021 for civil aviation. The construction of air-side facilities such as runways, taxiways and aprons is 100% complete. Proving flights have been carried out by the Ministry of Transportation and Citilink.

Preparations continue to be finalized covering four aspects, namely management and organization, facilities, verification and procedures.

"The smoothness of this preparation is thanks to the full support of the Head of Air Transport Staff [KSAU], the KSAU Operations Assistant [KSAU Assistant], the Commander of the Air Transport Operations Command 2 [Pangkoops 2], and Danlanud General Besar Soedirman, along with the entire ranks of the Indonesian Air Force. We thank the Indonesian Air Forces for their support, ”said Muhammad Awaluddin.

The opening of Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport can help support national economic recovery in the midst of a pandemic.

The runway at this airport has dimensions of 1,600 meters x 30 meters, the apron is 69 x 103 meters and the taxiway is 15 meters wide. In the early stages, this airport will serve flights of ATR 72-600 and similar aircraft.

The existence of this airport supports air connectivity in Banjarnegara Regency, Purbalingga Regency, Banyumas Regency, Cilacap Regency, Kebumen Regency, Tegal Regency and Tegal City, as well as Pekalongan Regency and Pekalongan City.

Accelerate handling of COVID-19
The Indonesian Air Force also played a very important role in handling COVID-19 through the Air Task Force for Handling COVID-19 at Soekarno-Hatta Airport which was led by the Chairperson of the Air Task Force for Handling COVID-19 Colonel Pas M.A Silaban (TNI AU).

All stakeholders coordinate in the COVID-19 Handling Air Task Force so that the implementation of health protocols runs well, starting from procedures for departure, arrival and transit.

"We are grateful to the Indonesian Air Force for handling the pandemic so that Soekarno-Hatta Airport can operate 24 hours every day to maintain Indonesia's connectivity and become the main airport to welcome Indonesian citizens back on repatriation flights in the midst of this pandemic," said Muhammad Awaluddin.