Tempo.co, Jakarta – The Ministry of Transportation noted that the government of President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has built 25 new airports and revitalized 38 old airports from 2015 to 2023.

The three newest airports that were inaugurated this year are Ewer Airport in Asmat Regency, South Papua; Siboru Airport in Fakfak Regency, West Papua; and Mentawai Airport, West Sumatra.

"These three airports are national strategic projects (PSN) that were built to end the isolation in disadvantaged, outermost, remote and border areas," Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said in an official statement on December 26.

He said that Ewer Airport was inaugurated in July 2023 after a development period from 2018 to 2022, with a total cost of Rp287 billion taken from the state budget (APBN). Siboru Airport was inaugurated in November 2023. Its 4,600 square meter terminal can accommodate up to 153,945 passengers per year.

The new, revamped Mentawai Airport was inaugurated in October with a bigger and longer runway that can accommodate larger aircraft, namely the ATR 72-600. The old airport could only operate smaller aircraft like the Cessna Grand Caravan.

"The presence of these airports is expected to also boost the tourism potentials of their respective areas," Minister Budi Karya said.

The minister added that the construction and revitalization of airports carried out under the Jokowi government are a manifestation of the government's commitment to create equal growth and development throughout Indonesia.

"By opening access, the movement of people and logistics will become smoother, and it is hoped that this will encourage the emergence of new economic points," he said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1813994/jokowi-govt-builds-25-new-airports-by-202