SBY calls for 'green' Lombok Int'l Airport

Officially opening the new Lombok International Airport in West Nusa Tenggara, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped the facility would help boost the local economy.

Lombok International Airport, which replaces Selaparang Airport as the Lombok Island's main airport, had been operating since Oct. 1, but was only officially opened on Thursday.

“Hopefully the new airport can help improve the economy of the people of West Nusa Tenggara, and in particular support the development of international tourism here,” the President said in Lombok on Thursday morning.

He asked the airport operator to soon complete the airport infrastructure and facilities.

“And please, tidy up the airport complex soon. Make it green,” the President said, as quoted by Antara state news wire.

To make this happen, Yudhoyono donated 10,000 trembesi tree seedlings to be planted around the airport complex.