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ublic address system problems marred an otherwise smooth first day for the new terminal at Sultan Syarif Kasim (SSK) II Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau, state airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II says.

There was also, of course, the usual first-day confusion. Suhardi, a local resident, said that he was surprised when he was stopped by employees outside the old terminal when picking up arriving relatives.

“I had to exit the old terminal and take the new road leading to the new terminal. I just found out that the new terminal has been completed,” Suhardi told The Jakarta Post.

Others met with an awkward surprise when entering the new terminal, with several people seen running into its floor-to-ceiling front glass wall.

The use of glass dominates the new terminal, designed using so-called eco-airport concepts to take advantage of sunlight and minimize artificial lighting.

Suhardi, however, appeared to be in no mood to discuss green technology. “There ought to be more signs because the glass wall is transparent. Most people don’t know exactly where it starts,” he said.

Despite glitches, the opening of the terminal went smoothly and all passengers were served, according to the airport’s chief.

“We apologize for the inconvenience. There should have been a soft opening, but we went straight to full operations,” SSK II airport general manager Anggono Raras said.

“The operation of the new terminal was brought forward because Angkasa Pura II had requested that the old terminal be demolished to make way for a new apron,” Anggono said.

The terminal’s official launch is slated for September to coincide with the start of the National Games (PON).

According to Anggono, the new terminal could handle 80 flights a day and 4 million passengers a year, more than the 66 flights and 2.5 million people handled by the old terminal, which was designed to accommodate 1.5 million passengers a year.

Anggono added that the new apron would be able to accommodate eight Boeing 737-900s narrow-body aircraft and two Boeing 747 jumbo jets, compared to 10 Boeing 737s on the old apron.

“The old apron actually could host Boeing 747s, but the runway is not capable of serving jumbo jets.”

Riau Governor HM Rusli Zainal said that he was satisfied with activities at the new terminal and aimed to make the airport as an embarkation point for haj pilgrims next year. Work began on the expansion project in 2010, with a budget of Rp 2 trillion (US$212 million) from the central and provincial government and Angkasa Pura II.