Minangkabau International Airport inaugurated

Minangkabau International Airport inaugurated

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, accompanied by West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi (left, front row), greets women in Minangkabau costume upon his and his entourage's arrival at the new Minangkabau International Airport.

At the airport's inauguration later on Thursday, the President said the airport, the only international air gateway to West Sumatra, is expected to boost tourism and spur economic growth in the province.

Minangkabau, which replaces Tabing Airport in Padang city, opened in July and is located 23 kilometers north of Padang, the West Sumatra capital.

Construction of the airport, with a 2,750-meter long runway and an advanced air traffic system, began in December 2001.

The airport, the construction of which was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), among others, stands on 430 hectares of land and can accommodate 1.2 million passengers per day. Its runway can accommodate Airbus A-300 and Boeing MD-11 airplanes.

Eleven air-conditioned buses operate between Padang city and the airport in Ketaping, Padang Pariaman regency, plus 168 taxis have been licensed to pick up passengers at the airport.

The buses and taxis are expected to meet the daily demand from 4,200 passengers. A one-way bus trip to the airport costs Rp 10,000, while airport taxi have meters, unlike regular taxis in Padang for which passengers must negotiate a fare with the driver. (JP/Syofiardi Bachyul Jb.)