The plan to build an international airport in Marunda, North Jakarta, is cancelled by Jakarta Provincial Government. However, city administration has prepared similar plan in Karawang, West Java.

Air Transportation General Directorate told me that it is better to build airport in Karawang since it has not been taken over yet by foreign investor or other parties

“Technically, (the presence of an airport) in Marunda, will influence airplanes’ departure and arrival at Cengkareng (Soekarno-Hatta Airport) and Halim (Perdanakusuma Airport), must alternate. That means there will be no additional capacity because the airplanes must queue,” explained Jakarta Governor Basuki ‘Ahok’ T Purnama, Friday (11/28).

On the other hand, Ahok continued, airport construction in Marunda was intended to minimize the density of air traffic at the two existing airports. But based on the results of assessment done by Transportation Ministry Air Transportation General Directorate, the presence of an airport in Marunda will disturb flight activities at Cengkareng and Halim airports.

“Air Transportation General Directorate told me that it is better to build airport in Karawang since it has not been taken over yet by foreign investor or other parties,” he said.

According to Ahok, airport in Karawang would bring positive impacts for because the economic growth in that area would increase. Hence, Jakarta Provincial Government will follow up the plan immediately. The airport itself is scheduled to be built on a land which largely owned by Perhutani.

“We don’t want to spend a lot of money for land acquisition. But, it depends on the central government and Perhutani,” he stated.