Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited Samarinda, East Kalimantan Province, to inaugurate the Maratua and APT Pranoto airports as part of the government`s program to improve connectivity.

The inauguration of the new airport was positive news for the residents of Samarinda, who had to travel to Balikpapan to catch flights, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi stated here, Thursday.

To boost the country`s connectivity, the government has planned to develop 15 news airports until late 2019, M. Pramintohadi, the air transportation director general, stated.

Of the planned 15 new airports, construction work of 10 new airports -- Anambas, Namniwel, Miangas, Morowali, Werur, Maratua, Koroway Batu, Kertajati, Samarinda Baru, and Tebelian -- has begun.

Reporting by Hanni Sofia
Editing by Fardah Assegaf

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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