ER
INDONESIA’s Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi accompanied by the Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, directly inspected Raja Haji Abdullah Airport (RHA), Karimun Regency, (02/8), 2024. The Regent of Karimun, Aunur Rafiq and member of the DPR RI Asman Abnur were seen taking part in the visiting group regarding the construction and extension RHA Airport’s runway from 1,800-meters to 2,000 meters.
According to Budi Karya, the urgency of extending the RHA Airport runway is an effort to accommodate large-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing 737. With flights using larger aircraft, it will be easier for people to reach Tanjung Balai Karimun, thereby encouraging tourism and industry in Karimun, including the Riau Islands area.
“We are working to ensure that Boeing 737 aircraft can land here so that industry and tourism can advance further. “This is the President’s order, development must be carried out on the outer islands,” said Budi Karya.
He also targets that this year the runway can reach a length of 2,000 meters. In line with that, he is optimistic that land acquisition will be completed so that the runway length target can be achieved. If this happens, Raja Haji Abdullah Airport can accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft.
“We have completed it over several years to 1,800 meters. This year we will extend it to 2,000 meters,” Budi Karya Sumadi remarked.
On the other hand, the Governor of the Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, appreciated the central government’s great attention to the Riau Islands. In particular, the Ministry of Transportation has been very concerned with transportation infrastructure in the Riau Islands in recent years.
“I really appreciate the Ministry of Transportation and this is what the public has been waiting for for decades, there are direct flights to the Karimun Islands. Apart from that, as a leading island, this area is also massive with investment, especially industry and tourism. Hopefully this can be realized soon,” he noted.
For information, currently Raja Haji Abdullah Airport has a terminal area of 770 square meters, a runway length of 1,800 x 30 meters and can accommodate ATR 72 aircraft. Apart from inspecting the airport, the Minister of Transportation and his entourage visited Roro Parit Rempak Port, Taman Bunga Port and Unloading Port, and the Class I Harbor Master and Port Authority (KSOP) Office of Tanjung Balai Karimun. [sources/photo special]
