Yahukimo, Papua, 18 Muharram 1438/19 October 2016(MINA) – The Boeing Business Jet, being used as the Indonesian presidential aircraft, has become the first narrow-body aircraft to land at the Yahukimo Airport in Papua, Indonesia’s Antara news agency reports.
The landing of “Indonesia Satu” presidential aircraft Boeing 737-800 in Yahukimo District on Tuesday also marked the beginning of the operations at Yahukimo’s new airport.
From now onwards, narrow body aircraft will be able to land at this airport, thus enhancing interconnectivity among the rural areas of Papua.
“We have entered an era of competition. We should enhance our infrastructure to achieve competitive rankings,” President Joko Widodo said here as he inaugurated the airport.
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Before being revitalized as a new airport, Yahukimo could only handle propeller aircraft that arrived to distribute various commodities.
The enhanced operations at the airport, Jokowi added, can help bring economic benefits to the local people in Yahukimo.
Jokowi noted that the airport still has a short runway of 1,950 meters and asked the Transportation Ministry to extend it to 2,500 meters.
According to the President, once the transportation infrastructure in Yahukimo is upgraded, other air planes will also be able to land in Yahukimo, giving the local economy a boost.
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The president asked to the ministry to complete the project to extend the runway in two years.
Meanwhile, Head of the district of Yahukimo, Abock Busup, appreciated Jokowi for the infrastructure development approval in the area.
The airport, added Busup, was the only means of transportation for the people to access other areas in the Yahukimo District that has 51 sub-districts and 517 villages.
Yahukimo is home to several tribes, such as Yali, Hupla, Kimyal and Momuna. It is spread over 17,152 square meters, is a mountainous area and can only be reached via an aircraft. (T/R07/R01)
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