After delivering a short opening message, the head of state struck a drum and then signed an inscription to mark the inauguration of BIL, located at Tanak Awu village in Central Lombok district.
On the occasion President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Transportation Minister E E Mangindaan, State Enterprises (BUMN) Minister Dahlan Iskan, West Nusa Tenggara Goveror M Zainul Majdi, and airport management company PT Angkasa Pura-I President Director Tommy Soetomo.
Former Vice President and Madame Mufidah Jusuf Kalla were also present among a number of cabinet ministers and ministerial-level officials.
The airport inauguration ceremony was also enlivened with `Gendang Beleq Rembak` traditional dance and art performance.
President Yudhoyono after dedicating to airport also took a few minutes of his time to review its facilities and then planted a tree at the side of the 551.8-hectare aerodrome.
Meanwhile, Governor Zainul Majdi reported that the mega project of BIL cost Rp 945.8 billion ($108 million) with PT Angkasa Pura-I shouldering Rp795.8 billion, West Nusa Tenggara provincial government Rp110 billion, and Central Lombok district government Rp40 billion.
According to the governor, the new Lombok airport has the runway of 2,750 meters and is capable to accommodate wide-body high capacity Airbus 330, Boeing 767 airliners as well as smaller aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus 319-320.
"We are proud and happy that the much awaited dedication of the new airport by President Yudhoyono is finally realized today," the governor said.(*)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
