Jakarta, (Antara) - The work on the extension of Trunojoyo airport's runway from 1.2 thousand meters in length and some 20 meters in width to to 1.6 thousand meters in length, with a width of 30 meters in Sumenep district has been completed.
Situated at the eastern end of Madura Island in East Java, Sumenep district is in dire need of air transportation services, so that the tourists and other visitors can enjoy its varied sites.
The Transportation Ministry was committed to developing the Trunojoyo airport by extending its runway from 1.2 thousand meters to 1.6 thousand meters, and now the work has been completed.
Likewise, the construction of aircraft parking area with a capacity of up to three ATR 72 type aircraft with 70 passengers each, has also been completed, according to Trunojoyo airport operator spokesman Wahyu Siswoyo.
Siswoyo reiterated in Sumenep of Thursday that the work on the extension of the airport's runway has been completed, and he expressed hope that there will be a quick response from the local government in terms of land acquisition at the end of the runway for the fencing to meet the aviation safety standard.
Land area around the end of the runway on the west side that should be released by the Sumenep district government this year is around five five hectares.
The extension and widening of the runway of the Trunojoyo Airport was necessary, so that it can be used for commercial flight activities.
Since 2015, Trunojoyo Airport has been one of the airports in East Java, which served pioneering flights, with the capacity of 15 to 20 passengers.
But now the extension work on the runway has been completed so that the Trunojoyo airport can function as a commercial airfield that accommodate aircraft with a capacity of some 70 passengers.
Siswoyo has said that the Trunjoyo airport is currently accommodating pioneer aircraft with the capacity of 15 passengers.
But the renovation project ran smoothly and has been completed so that the airport will be able to serve commercial flights early next year.
However, he acknowledged that to turn Trunojoyo into a commercial airport is not as easy as turning the palm of the hand, because there must be certainty for the commercial flight operators for not loss when utilizing the airport.
In addition, the Trunojoyo airport operation also needs time to communicate with commercial flight operators who want to utilize the airport.
"The commercial flights operator will certainly conduct market survey to ensure that they will have nothing to lose, if they operate commercial aircraft in Trunojoyo airport," Siswoyo remark.
He asked the Sumenep district government to explore cooperation with the commercial flight operators so that they may be pleased to utilize the airport.
"We are ready to assist the local government to realize Trunojoyo service as a commercial airport. Again, if all goes well, Trunojoyo service is feasible for commercial aircraft flight activity in early 2017," Siswoyo confirmed.
In the meantime, Sumenep District Transportation Office Chief Mohammad Fadillah explained that his party will work together with the relevant parties in the Ministry of Transport to conduct an assessment with commercial aviation operators.
"To realize Trunojoyo Airport into a commercial airport it needs a synergy with all stakeholders, including the private sector. We hope that efforts to make Trunojoyo a commercial airport can materialize," he said.
He expressed hope that turning Trunojoyo into commercial airport will support tourism in Sumenep.
Situated at the eastern end of Madura island in East Java, Sumenep district needs air transport services in order for tourists and other visitors to enjoy its interesting sites.
Sumenep has many historical sites such as Kraton and Tiny Museum, along with traditional arts and cultural attractions such as mask dances and bull race, as well as the beautiful beaches of Lombangh and Slopeng.
From Surabaya`s Tanjung Perak harbour, it takes more than four hours to reach Sumenep by bus or taxi.
Sumenep can also be reached from Bali by passing through Banyuwangi to reach Jangkar Port in Situbondo district, and then crossing by ferry from Jangkar Port to Kalianget sub-district in Sumenep district. However, all of this takes several days.
Regarding the transportation-related problems facing Sumenep, the local district administration expressed optimism that commercial flights to the district`s Trunojoyo airport would materialize soon.
For the past several years, the local district government and the Airport Working Unit had been making efforts to make the airport eligible for handling commercial flights on a regular basis.
Now, the airport has been declared eligible for handling small and medium-size passenger planes throughout the day because the central government has allocated sufficient funds to support the Sumenep district government in its efforts to develop the airport.
The Ministry of Transportation has expressed its commitment to support Sumenep district in its effort to make Trunojoyo a commercial airport with regular flights.(*)
