Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Airport management company PT Angkasa Pura I is preparing the Syamsudin Noor airport in South Kalimantan to be an international airport.

"We are trying to make Syamsudin Noor to be an international airport by preparing facilities needed," the companys general manager, Handy Heryudhitiawan, said here on Wednesday.

According to him, the company has submitted an application letter regarding the plan to the Transportation Ministry and received a positive response.

Handy said the effort to upgrade the status of Syamsudin Noors has also been supported by relevant institutions, including Customs and Quarantine services.

Syamsudin Noor, he added, deserves to become an international airport as the number of passengers departing abroad from the airport in Banjarmasin has continued to increase.

Having an area of 257 hectares, the airport was operated in 1936 under the name of Ulin airport.

In 1975 the airport was officially designated as a civilian airport.

Syamsudin Noor Airport has a domestic terminal with an area of 9,943 square meters. The airport is capable of handling four medium sized aircraft of Boeing 737-400 and four Boeing 767-300ER.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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