President Jokowi Inaugurates Toraja Airport in Sulawesi, Pantar Airport in NTT
President Jokowi inaugurates Toraja Airpor in Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi (18/03/2021). (Photo by: Official YouTube of Presidential Secretariat)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo Thursday (18/03/2021) inaugurated Toraja airport in Tana Toraja Regency in South Sulawesi province while virtually inaugurating Pantar airport in Alor Regency in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province.
The President expressed hope that these two airports could bring many beneficial impacts for economic growth, especially in the regions.
Toraja airport, also known as Buntu Kunik airport, has a runway length of 2.000 and a width of 30 meters; yet, only 1.700 meters are effectively used. According to the President, the airport is unique because the construction involved cutting three hills so that the runway can be built.
The airport, which was built at a cost of around Rp800 billion, has a passenger terminal area of 1,152 square meters and is expected to accommodate 45 thousand passengers annually.
President Jokowi further said that this airport was expected to improve accessibility between Tana Toraja and other regions.
I flew with an ATR plane and it only took 50 minutes to land here from Makassar. What does it mean? Mobility of persons and goods will be faster, he said, adding that the airport is also expected to be impactful for increasing the potential of tourism sector in the area.
For the record, it took 9 hours from Makassar to Toraja via land routes.
“Tourism sector in Toraja is expected to be developed. People from Makassar, either Bali or Jakarta or Bandung, will directly visit here to enjoy the land above clouds Lolai, ancient village Kete Kesu, and also agro-tourism destination Pango-Pango, the President said.
On the same occasion, President Jokowi also virtually inaugurated Pantar airport in Alor regency in East Nusa Tenggara province. This airport has been built since 2014 and is now fully operational.
Pantar airport, which is located in one of the outermost islands in Indonesia, has a runway length of 900 and a width of 30 meters and is expected to accommodate 35 thousand passengers annually. (FID/UN) (AP/EP)
