BANDUNG - Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport (JBS) has a long history of the construction process, which was initiated 15 years ago. Initially, the JBS Airport airside facility was a type C TNI AU Air Base, the runway at that time was still grass with a length of 850 m.  

As a form of support to improve the economy and community activities related to the need for air transportation in Central Java, especially Purbalingga Regency and its surroundings, PT. Angkasa Pura II (Persero) - AP II, which is trusted as the operator of JBS Airport, plans to build the main airside facilities, such as a runway, apron, and taxiway.  

Hutama Karya-NSE KSO has been selected through a tender process to assist APII in the design & build work of JBS Airport, especially the airside area.  

The scope of NSE in the DED work for JBS Airport facilities in Phase I is to act as the runway planner with a dimension of 1,600 m x 30 m, an apron with an area of 69 m x 103 m, and a taxiway with a width of 15 m. This work includes soil improvement, pavement, AFL & electrical, and drainage planning.  

During the construction of the JBS Airport airside facilities, On October 02nd, 2019, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Rini Soemarno visited to review the development of JBS Airport. Amid the visit, Rini Soemarno, Minister of SOEs, said, "I am sure this airport will become an icon of pride for the people of Purbalingga Regency. Of course, I am sure that it will further increase economic growth for Purbalingga Regency", as reported by Lintas24.com.  

The Government of Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, finally informed that General Besar Sudirman Airport (JBS) has been completed and will operate on April 22nd, 2021. 

Before that, the Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft became the first aircraft to land on the runway of JBS Purbalingga Airport Sunday morning, January 31st, 2021. The plane carrying a group from the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub RI) returned to the air on the same day. On Thursday, June 03rd, 2021, after the local government informed the operation of JBS Airport, the Citilink ATR 72-600 aircraft carrying 34 passengers landed successfully at JBS Airport.  

Not far from the successful landing of the first commercial aircraft at JBS Airport, on Friday, June 11th, 2021, JBS Airport arrived with the Garuda Explore ATR 72-600 aircraft carrying President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana and their entourage. The group was welcomed by the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and Purbalingga Regent Dyah Hayuning Pratiwi.  

President Joko Widodo hopes that the JBS Airport can contribute to economic growth in Purbalingga Regency and Banyumas, Cilacap, Banjarnegara's regency, Wonosobo, Kebumen and surrounding areas. 

In this case, NSE as the design consultant and PT. Hutama Karya (Persero) as the contractor for the phase 1 construction of the JBS Airport airside facility, has proven through his work and hard work to participate in the construction of the JBS Airport airside facility to improve the economy and community activities, especially in service standards, flight operations, comfort, and the safety of airport service users.