President Joko Widodo issued the directive for maintaining the standard of services after reviewing the airport on Sunday (May 7, 2023), Sumadi said.
"Yesterday, Mr. President reminded that this room needs to be fixed, that room needs to be beautified, and so on," he informed at Meruorah Komodo Hotel in Labuan Bajo on Monday.
He said that his ministry has managed to meet President Widodo’s directive regarding the preparation of the airport's security and safety aspects.
To improve the security aspect, he informed that he had collaborated with the Commander of the National Defense Forces, Admiral Yudo Margono, and chief of the National Police, Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
As for the safety aspect, the ministry has coordinated with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi as well as other stakeholders, Sumadi disclosed.
"Even our fellows from Sarinah take part in making the place prettier. So, if you all see the airport, it is so beautiful, (adorned) with pretty flowers and pretty fabrics," he highlighted.
The ministry's effort to improve services at Komodo Airport has paid off, the minister said, adding that it has boosted his confidence.
He urged director general of air transportation at the ministry, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, to maintain the improved standard of the airport.
It is projected that the airport would also cater to direct international flights in the future, Minister Sumadi stressed.
“So, the standard must be improved, even though when we ask the airlines of the current (situation, they say they are) satisfied," he said.
When President Joko Widodo landed at Komodo Airport on Sunday, he said that the ASEAN Summit is an opportunity to promote Labuan Bajo so that the global community would take notice of it.
"This is a very good moment; we host the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo to promote Labuan Bajo, so the whole world knows that in Indonesia, there is Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara," the head of state remarked.
The summit is scheduled to take place from May 9 to 11, with the main meeting scheduled for May 10 and 11.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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