New airport planned for West Sumatra

Thu, 01/17/2008 4:29 PM  |  The Archipelago

PADANG, West Sumatra: A new airport serving domestic flights is scheduled to be built in the West Sumatra regency of Dharmasraya, about a five-hour drive from Padang.

Head of the Dharmasraya Transportation and Tourism Office, A. Ghani, said Monday a feasibility study for the project was completed at the end of last year, and the airport was expected to be operational by 2010.

"It is now in the process of getting approval from the Transportation Ministry," Ghani said.

The airport, with a planned two-kilometer runway, will be built at a cost of about Rp 400 billion (US$44.4 million) at Kenagarian Siguntur, in Pulau Punjung district, near Batang Hari River.

"Initially we just wanted an airstrip, but because the location was considered strategic, it will be developed as a commercial airport," Ghani said.

Dharmasraya regency was established in 2004. It was previously part of Sawahlunto Sijunjung regency. The regency, located near the border with Jambi province, produces rubber, palm oil and coal. -- JP

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