JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that the opening of Mentawai Airport on Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, can attract tourist visits.
Through the government's intensive infrastructure development, the airport, which was originally only able to accommodate the Cessna model aircraft, now has a runway of 1,500 meters long and 30 meters wide, so it can serve passengers on the ATR 72-600 aircraft with a capacity of 78 people.
"We hope that by getting off the ATR plane, more and more tourists will go to the Mentawai Islands, especially those who like to surf," said President Jokowi as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 25.
In addition, the operation of one of the airports in Indonesia's outermost regions is also expected to facilitate community mobility.
"Tourism potential in the Mentawai Islands can also be developed even better. We hope that tourism will develop more and more, and maybe planes from abroad related to shifting can also land directly, both in Padang and Mentawai," said the President.
"I am sure that with the opening of access to an area, connectivity will get better, people will get a large multiplier effect and the opportunity to develop new businesses. We hope that this will improve the welfare of all of us," he said.
President Jokowi paid a working visit to West Sumatra (West Sumatra) on Wednesday. The President and his entourage arrived at Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman Regency.
At the airport, President Jokowi was greeted by the Governor of West Sumatra Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Chairman of the West Sumatra DPRD Supardi, Pangdam I/Bukit Barisan Major General TNI Mochammad Hasan Hasibuan, and West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Suharyono.
The President then changed planes to then take off to Mentawai Airport in Mentawai Islands Regency to inaugurate the new airport.
Furthermore, President Jokowi is scheduled to visit the Mother Market in Mentawai Islands Regency. The President will hand over a number of social assistance to traders.
After that, President Jokowi will return to Minangkabau International Airport via Mentawai Airport. After landing, the Head of State will go to SMK Negeri 5 Padang City to review the facilities and teaching and learning activities.
The Head of State will then go to Bulog Warehouse for East Rawang, Padang City, to review rice supplies. In addition, the Head of State will also directly hand over food aid for government rice reserves to beneficiary communities.
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