LABUAN BAJO - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi is targeting the development of transportation infrastructure such as ports and airports in Labuan Bajo to be completed by the end of 2020 as targeted by President Joko Widodo.
Minister of Transportation said, the runway of Komodo Airport will be extended to 2,750 meters from 2,250 meters. With the runway extension, the Airbus A300 can land so it can reach the routes of Japan, China and Australia.
Investment in management of the Komodo - Labuan Bajo Airport is Rp 1.2 trillion and the estimated total value of operational costs for 25 years is Rp 5.7 trillion.
"After handling over with the CAS Consortium, the renovation will begin in June so we hope that by early 2021, Komodo Airport will become an international airport. Hopefully there would be tourists, especially from Singapore, because Changi is a partner, so the target to increase the number of passengers to 4 million per year can be realized," said Minister of Transportation Budi.
As for the construction of the logistics Multipurpose Port and revitalization of the existing Labuan Bajo Port, it is targeted to be completed within a period of six months. (LM)