REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed hope the construction of an international airport in Kulon Progo district, Yogyakarta province, could be started next year to encourage the tourism sector in support of the local economy.
"What is important is that we must soon start (constructing the airport) next year," Kalla said following a meeting with Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan HB X here on Thursday.
The presence of the airport called "New Yogyakarta International Airport" will have a significant impact on the province's economic and tourism growth, he said.
At the meeting, the vice president asked the Yogyakarta provincial government to prepare a list of infrastructures particularly transportation networks leading to the airport, chief of the Yogyakarta Provincial Development Planning Board (Bappeda) Tavip Agus Rayanto said.
"We have been asked to figure out what infrastructures will be needed. That is what we will convey to Jakarta," he said.
The airport which is expected to be built on 645 hectares of land is set to have the capacity of 10 million travelers per year. The airport which will have a 3,600-meter runway will replace the now overcrowded Adisutjipto International Airport.