Ambon airport to be expanded

Ambon airport to be expanded

AMBON, Maluku: The Pattimura Airport runway will be lengthened from 1,850 meters to 2,500 meters to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft like the Air Bus.

Head of the provincial transportation office P.J. Usep Wijaya said yesterday the project will begin next year. The expanded runway is expected to be in operation in 1998.

He told Antara that the project to be funded by the Asian Development Bank will be open for tender by international contractors.

The project is considered important in view of the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation free trade agreement by the year 2020, when Indonesia will need more international airports. (pan)