Four Toll Road Sections Prepared as Emergency Runways for Fighter Jets

Jakarta, VIVA – Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo has revealed that the Banda Aceh–Sigli Toll Road is being prepared as an emergency runway for fighter aircraft. This toll road is one of four sections prepared as emergency landing strips for Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) combat aircraft.

Dody said the other toll sections being prepared include the Jakarta–Cikampek II South Toll Road (Japek II Selatan), the Terbanggi Besar–Pematang Panggang–Kayu Agung Toll Road, and the Probolinggo–Banyuwangi Toll Road.

“Banda Aceh–Sigli is also being prepared. Under normal conditions, the section continues to be used as a toll road. However, in an emergency, it can be opened and utilised for the landing and take-off of TNI AU fighter aircraft,” Dody said in Jakarta on Thursday, 23 January 2025.

According to Dody, all of these toll sections are designed to continue functioning optimally, with specifications capable of supporting defence operations in emergency conditions.

The Ministry of Public Works continues to strengthen its support for President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita in realising a resilient national defence through the provision of strategic infrastructure.

Beyond improving connectivity and driving economic growth, a number of toll road sections built by the Ministry of Public Works are also being prepared so they can be used as emergency runways for Indonesian Air Force fighter aircraft under certain conditions.

Dody said infrastructure development is aimed not only at serving public mobility and logistics distribution, but must also deliver strategic value for national interests.

For this reason, several toll road sections are designed with a dual-use function, remaining operational as toll roads under normal conditions whilst serving as emergency fighter jet runways to support national defence operations when required.

“The use of toll sections as emergency runways demonstrates that the infrastructure built by the Ministry of Public Works has a dual function — not only for public mobility and logistics, but also for supporting national preparedness,” Dody said.