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ultan Thaha Airport in Jambi will operate a new terminal in 2014 in anticipation of increased passenger numbers.

A higher number of passengers are going through the airport as more airlines connected Jambi with other cities such as Batam, Jakarta and Kerinci, head of airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II'€™s Jambi branch, Dorma Manalu, said on Tuesday.

He said that during peak seasons, such as Christmas and New Year'€™s Day, the number of passengers could reach 12,000 or even 14,000 with additional flights.

'€œUsually, during normal days, airport is at around 75 percent capacity, but in the run up to Christmas and New Year'€™s Day, the capacity can reach up to 95 percent,'€ he said.

Jambi Transportation Agency head Bernhard Panjaitan said the new passenger and VIP terminals would only be operational in mid-2014.

He said the new passenger terminal would begin operating once the construction of the apron had been completed.

'€œThe tender process is completed and the apron will be finished before the end of the month. We hope to open the terminal by the middle of next year,'€ he said.

'€œThe apron will definitely be done this month at a cost of Rp 100 billion (US$8.21 million).'€

Upon completion, he added, the old terminal might be turned into a cargo facility. The old VIP terminal may be turned into a hotel or used other purposes.

Bernhard also said the provincial administration would submit a proposal to use the state budget to extend the runway despite a presidential regulation banning the use of state budget funds to construct an airport.

However, as the airport is included in the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI), he said his agency would still try to get funding from the state budget.

'€œJambi Governor Hasan Basri Agus talked with the transportation minister a few days ago to try to get funding for the runway extension from the state budget because PT AP II cannot do everything,'€ said Bernhard.

'€œThe minister will visit Jambi on Jan. 6 and inspect the airport project. Hopefully, the funds can be allocated from the state budget.'€

He added the runway would be lengthened from 2,220 meters to 2,600 meters with a width of 45 meters and could cost up to Rp 100 billion.

Bernhard also said the runway project was at one point hampered by land acquisition issues, but it was the responsibility of PT AP II.

On the plan to use the airport as haj embarkation point, Bernhard said his agency was still arranging the permits from the Religious Affairs Ministry.

'€œThere has been no problems with immigration,'€ he said.