Banyuwangi to get new airport

Banyuwangi to get new airport

BANYUWANGI, East Java: Construction of a new airport here is
expected to begin early next year despite an earlier postponement
of the plan.

"The (central) government has agreed (to build the new
airport) because it was not part of the list of projects reviewed
due to the monetary crisis," East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman
said as quoted by Antara Thursday.

"We wish to turn Banyuwangi into a significant tourist
destination because of its great potential and its closeness to
the island of Bali," he added.

The airport would likely be used as a transit point for
Jakarta-Surabaya-Denpasar flights.

According to Basofi, district authorities have acquired the
land from local residents so construction could start early next
year.

The Banyuwangi Airport was originally scheduled to be built in
1984. But the project was postponed because the survey team could
not decide which of the 12 locations in the district would be the
best site.

The government finally chose a 10 hectare area in Blimbingsari
village, Bogojampi subdistrict, Basofi said.

No details on the cost of the project were given.