This morning, I have instructed the transportation minister to soon start operating at least two flights in a week to the Kuabang Airport. Thus, when the situation returns to normal, it would not be opened in such a quick way. It would be opened in s
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has given instructions to Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi to start at least two flights a week to the Kuabang Airport in North Halmahera District of North Maluku Province.

"This morning, I have instructed the transportation minister to soon start operating at least two flights in a week to the Kuabang Airport. Thus, when the situation returns to normal, it would not be opened in such a quick way. It would be opened in stages, twice a week, and then increased to thrice a day," Jokowi remarked at the inauguration of the passenger terminal at the Kuabang Airport, North Halmahera District, North Maluku, on Wednesday.

Currently, the airport has yet to serve regular flights but has only served chartered flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic, Jokowi noted that the airport had served two commercial flights a day.

Kuabang Airport was built with total investment of Rp300 billion (US$20.77 million). It has a runway spanning 2,400 meters and is expected to boost the tourism sector as well as other activities in North Maluku.

Jokowi noted that the development of infrastructure will support the expansion of new culture for the locals.

"We have to be disciplined, on time, to fly to other cities, or we will be left behind. This will create a new sense of discipline and new culture," Jokowi added.

Furthermore, infrastructure development will enhance the region's competitiveness and further increase its contribution to the national economy.

"This is something we have to know that developing infrastructure is not merely in terms of physical development but also developing competitiveness," Jokowi remarked.
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Translator: Indra A Pribadi, Sri Haryati
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