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| Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (front, center), at the inauguration of Dhoho Airport in Kediri, East Java, on Friday (October 18, 2024). --Dok. ANTARA |
PEWARTA.CO.ID - The newly inaugurated Dhoho Airport in Kediri, East Java, is poised to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth in southern Java, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Speaking at the airport’s inauguration and the groundbreaking ceremony for toll road access on Friday, the minister emphasized the significant impact this new infrastructure will have on the region.
Luhut highlighted that Dhoho Airport is Indonesia's first airport project developed through a public-private partnership under the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme.
"Dhoho Airport in Kediri reflects effective collaboration between the public sector and the private sector," he said during the event.
The minister further elaborated that the airport will alter the current air travel map, which had previously overlooked southern Java. The addition of a toll road will reduce travel time between the airport and Kediri to just one hour.
As a result, Kediri and its surrounding areas will no longer be reliant on Juanda International Airport in Surabaya for air travel.
"Later, this airport can support Hajj and Umrah flights as well," Luhut added, hinting at the airport's potential for religious travel.
Dhoho as the second major airport in South Java
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi also expressed optimism regarding Dhoho Airport’s role in the region’s development.
He pointed out that the new airport will serve as the second major airport in southern Java, where aviation infrastructure has been relatively limited.
"In the near future, we will also coordinate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to build a Hajj dormitory here," Budi said, further outlining future plans for the facility.
A significant contribution to economic progress
Istata T. Siddharta, president director of PT Surya Dhoho Investama (SDhI), the company responsible for constructing the airport, underscored the importance of Dhoho Airport for Indonesia’s economic advancement.
"This airport is a real contribution to the development and progress of the Indonesian economy, and opens wider access to areas in southern East Java, including the Wilis area such as Nganjuk, Kediri, Tulungagung, Trenggalek, Ponorogo, and Madiun districts," he stated.
The airport was developed by PT Surya Dhoho Investama, a subsidiary of PT Gudang Garam Tbk. Its soft launch took place on April 5, 2024, and it has since accommodated over 20,000 passengers and facilitated 175 aircraft movements.
The airport boasts a 3,300-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway, capable of handling wide-body jet aircraft, allowing it to serve both domestic and international flights.
Future growth and economic opportunities
In its early stages, Dhoho Airport is equipped with a passenger terminal designed to accommodate up to 1.5 million passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity to 10 million passengers over time.
This ambitious growth trajectory is expected to drive significant economic benefits, including the creation of new job opportunities across multiple sectors.
Beyond transportation, the airport is anticipated to stimulate business opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and other industries such as agriculture, livestock, and plantations.
Dhoho Airport’s strategic location and capabilities make it a critical addition to southern Java’s infrastructure, offering enhanced connectivity and economic prospects for the region.
