This Rp 200 billion (US$13.3 million) investment increases the airport's total fuel storage capacity by 39 percent to 1,500 kiloliters from 1,075 kiloliters, in order to keep up with an average 15 percent yearly increase in airport passengers.

“As the new depot allows Supadio airport to serve more flights, we expect more tourists and trade activity in West Kalimantan,” said Pertamina corporate marketing director Basuki Trikora Putra at the inauguration ceremony of the depot on Monday as quoted in a press release.

Supadio airport served 3.7 million passengers last year and has a maximum operational capacity of 3.8 million passengers per year.

He added that Pertamina had also provided new fuel tankers to transport the fuel from the depot to the aircraft and integrated the depot’s monitoring system into a centralized airport control room.

The new depot is one of 11 new aviation fuel depots being constructed around Indonesia as part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s nationwide infrastructure development program.

In regard to aviation, the program also seeks to construct 10 new airports around the country. (nor/bbn)

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