"The land clearing and some of the land fixing activities have been completed within the budget provided."
Timika (ANTARA News) - The transportation, communication and information office of Mimika district in Papua said it plans to develop a commercial airport called Mozes Kilangin in Timika, which will include facilities such as an apron and a taxiway.

An 800 meters x 300 meters plot of land has been cleared for the construction of an apron and a taxiway on the southern side of the airport, John Rettob, the head of Mimika`s transportation, communication and information office said.

A land area of 60 meters x 1,680 meters, with a depth of 1.5 meters will also be demarcated for the airport this year, he added.

"The land clearing and some of the land fixing activities have been completed within the budget provided. However, this accounts for very little of the total work that still needs to be finished," Rettob said.

While the official plans for the airport demarcate a 150 meters x 200 meters space for the apron, which is expected to accommodate at least ten small airplanes, the master plan for the airport points out that the airport`s apron can hold a fleet of eight wide-bodied Boeing aircraft and 15 small-bodied airplanes.

Rettob said his office was being assisted by the Directorate of the Civil Aviation Ministry of Transportation in the construction of the airport.

"We have also requested a team from the Directorate General of civil aviation to visit Timika and provide technical assistance for this project," he said.

The Ministry of Transportation has also allowed PT Freeport Indonesia, to use all the facilities of the Mozes Kilangin airport including its terminals, apron and runway for public aviation interests.

Once completed, the Mozes Kilangin airport will be 2,395 meters long and 45 meters wide.

In 2007 and 2008, the Mimika district administration cleared up to 65 hectares of land on the southern end of the airport for the construction of public facilities including terminals, an apron, a taxiway, as well as a storage fuel depot.
(T.KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012