Sumenep, E Java (ANTARA News) - The government has agreed to allocate Rp12 billion to develop Trunojoyo airport in Madura island, East Java, an official said.

"Thank God, the Sumenep district government`s effort to develop Trunojoyo airport has received attention and support from the central government," Head of the Sumenep district transportation office R. Achmad Aminullah said here on Friday.

The funds would be taken from the 2011 state budget, he said.

He said the local government had since the past few years planned to develop the airport as a commercial airport for scheduled flights.

"Right now Trunojoyo airport does not meet requirements as a commercial airport due to a lack of required facilities," he said.

The airport which had 905-meter runway lacked necessary facilities such as fire trucks and waiting rooms, he said.

"It is impossible for the local government to overcome the shortcomings on its own. Therefore, we have asked for assistance from the central government to provide funds to develop the airport," he said.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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