No delay in Ambon airport expansion

AMBON, Maluku (JP): Officials here on Friday said the expansion of Pattimura Airport was continuing on schedule despite the turmoil which has swept across the city in recent months.

"We will continue to develop the airport as there is no order to delay the plan," the head of the local office of the Ministry of Communications, M.J. Manuputty, said.

"The project was once stopped for a short while during the massive outbreak of violence, but we resumed work on Feb. 2," he said.

The airport's runway is set to expand from 1,800 meters to 2,500 meters.

The project is being financed by the Asian Development Bank and is slated to be completed in May 2001.

Manuputty said about a third of the work had been completed. (49/edt)