At a function to mark the 51st anniversary of the Siliwangi Youth Force here, Thursday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed the future plan to build three new airports in West Java.

The three airports are planned to be built in the districts of Majalengka, Tasikmalaya, and Sukabumi.

Of the three airports, the Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka is expected to be completed and become operational by mid-2018.

"Kertajati Airport is the largest in West Java and is very useful to boost the mobility of goods and people and to drive the economy in the province," President Jokowi noted.

Apart from the Kertajati Airport, the head of state explained that the one in Tasikmalaya will be utilized more effectively.

According to the head of state, the airport in Taksikmalaya is good; hence, it will be developed in order to operate optimally.

The third airport will be developed in Sukabumi, but the president has chosen to keep its location a secret.

"With regard to the plan to develop the airport, I have urged the Sukabumi district head to ensure that the location of the airport is not leaked to the public," Jokowi noted following the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of the double-track railway line in Sukabumi recently.

The president revealed that the government will soon start acquiring land for the airport and is concerned that if the selected site is revealed to the public, land price speculators might become active

Source: ANTARA