Fitri R., Mataram – Lombok International Airport has only been up and running for three days and has already seen its first protest. But that's not particularly surprising for a project that has been hit by repeated problems.

The airport has been touted as a big step toward promoting the island as the country's "second Bali," but officials will first have to settle some lingering disputes.

Hundreds of residents, claiming to be former owners of the land the airport is built on, protested on Monday to demand the jobs they say they were promised when they agreed to sell out. The airport operator, state-owned Angkasa Pura I, says it already has most of the workers it needs.

Since construction started in January 2008, the airport has suffered numerous setbacks, including security issues, theft of construction materials and equipment, land disputes, tensions with villagers and problems with the control tower. The original opening date of March 2010 was pushed back repeatedly, and it only opened on Saturday, 18 months behind schedule.

The protesters, from the villages of Tanak Awu, Penujak and Ketare, arrived at the airport on Monday carrying banners and posters reminding Angkasa Pura of what it said was a promise that 50 percent to 70 percent of jobs at the airport would be filled by local residents.

Many of the protesters wore business clothes, saying they were ready to start work. "We, the children of the former landowners of this airport, are asking for the fulfillment of the promise of work on what used to be our land. Whatever the work, we are ready," said Kartini, from Tanak Awu.

Other demonstrators were more blunt, chanting "No jobs, then the airport's history" and other slogans.

After the protesters were stopped by the police from entering the airport grounds, they drove five kilometers to the district administration offices. "We will fight for our future. We don't want to be mere observers at the airport when we're entitled to work there," said a protest organizer, Tajir Syahroni.

Ten protesters were allowed into the administration offices to meet with district councilors, transportation officials and I Ketut Erdi Nuke, the general manager of the airport operator.

Tajir said young people from the three villages near the airport had undergone preliminary training, provided by volunteer teachers, in skills useful for the airport's operations, including hotel work, baggage and cargo handling, cleaning and restaurant service.

Ketut explained that the airport operator already had most of the employees it needed because the majority had made the move from Lombok's old airport in Selaparang.

"Angkasa Pura I only has 170 staff members, and there are at least 1,300 people looking for work at the airport," he said. "But rest assured that if there is a recruitment drive, we will publicize it."