President Jokowi inaugurated Mentawai Airport on Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra on Wednesday (26/10/23) where he hoped that the new facility would attract more tourists to the area, according to reporting from Antara News.
He said the government built the new airport larger than the existing Rokot Sipora Airport, which can only serve Cessna planes, to be able to accommodate ATR 72-600 planes, with a capacity of 78-people.
“Let us hope that by providing a landing ground for ATR planes, the airport will attract more tourists to visit the Mentawai Islands, especially those who love surfing,” the president said at the inauguration, adding that he also hoped that the operation of one of Indonesia’s outermost airports would enhance the mobility of people, by augmenting the region’s connectivity, which, in turn, can facilitate people to develop their businesses and elevate their living standards, say Antara News.
“Mentawai Islands’ tourism potential can also be further optimized. We hope that surfing tourism activities will flourish. Planes from abroad related to surfing activities can also directly land, be it in Padang or Mentawai,” he remarked.
President Jokowi was welcomed by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah, Head of the West Sumatra Regional Representative Council (DPRD) Supardi, Bukit Barisan Regional Military Commander Major General Mochammad Hasibuan, and West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Suharyono.
Source: Antara News, BPMI Setpres
Image by BPMI Setpres/ Rusman
