Indonesia: Jokowi inaugurates new airport in Yogyakarta

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially inaugurated Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) in Kulon Progo regency on Friday, several months after its full operation began in March. Situated around 45km from the city of Yogyakarta, the new airport has replaced the older Adisutjipto International Airport as the main flight hub in the province of Yogyakarta. The president touted YIA’s development and construction processes, which took less than two years, while also highlighting the airport’s features, which he described as “the best in Indonesia so far.” “The airport construction was really fast, just 20 months. That was really quick, ” Jokowi said during the broadcasted inauguration ceremony. “I’m sure this airport will be the busiest airport when a (Covid-19) vaccine is available.” The new airport boasts a 3,250-meter runway, which compares to just 2,200 m at Adisutjipto International Airport, and can accommodate wide-body aircraft like the Boeing B777 and Airbus A380. YIA has a passenger capacity of 20m per year, a massive upgrade from Adisutjipto’s 1.6m, due to its larger terminal of more than 219,000 square meters. A total of US$775m was invested in the airport.<br/>