Kediri. The newly constructed Dhoho Airport in the East Java town of Kediri celebrated its inauguration on Friday with the commencement of its first commercial flight, operated by budget airline Citilink.

Citilink's flight QG 752, carrying 178 passengers from Jakarta, received a ceremonial water salute upon landing and taxiing onto the tarmac. The event was attended by local officials and prominent business executives.

The timing of the airport's opening coincides with a peak in air and land travel, just days before Eid al-Fitr, the most significant holiday for Indonesian Muslims following the fasting month of Ramadan.

"The first aircraft has landed at Dhoho International Airport here in Kediri. This is truly a Ramadan blessing,” said Kediri Regent Hanindhito Himawan Pramana.

The airport is anticipated to serve as a vital transportation hub in the southern region of the province, with plans for future expansion to accommodate international flights.

Operated jointly by state-owned airport operator Angakasa Pura and investment company Surya Dhoho Investama, a subsidiary of the Kediri-based cigarette giant Gudang Garam, the airport's inauguration saw the presence of Surya Dhoho CEO Maksin Arisandi among other distinguished guests.

The airport has a capacity of up to 2 million passengers annually and a 3.3-kilometer runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft. It features over 37,000 square meters of parking space.

Passenger terminals are equipped with check-in counters, immigration desks, baggage handling systems, boarding bridges, and walk-through detectors.

The initiative for constructing the airport was led by Gudang Garam CEO Susilo Wonowidjojo in 2016, with construction commencing in April 2020.