Rendani airport to be renovated

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: The Ministry of Transportation is to set aside more than Rp 1 billion (approximately US$426,439) this year to renovate Rendani Airport, in Manokwari regency, Irian Jaya.

The funds will come from the national budget for fiscal year 1997/1998 and will be used to extend the airport's runway from 1,100 meters to 1,600 meters so larger Fokker aircraft would be able to use the site, Rendani Airport chief Luther Woppy was quoted by Antara as saying here yesterday.

Once the project is completed, F-28 planes would start serving the Jayapura-Biak-Manokwari-Sorong-Ambon and Ujungpandang route. Thus far, only planes such as Twin Otters, F-27s and Cessnas can land at the Rendani Airport, he said.