"The direct impact is an increase in tourist visits to Praya..."Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara has planned to turn the Lombok International Airport (LIA) into a "City Airport", which is an airport offering integrated services, an official said.
West Nusa Tenggara`s Head of Communication and Information Service Ridwan Syah said here on Monday investment would be needed to realize the plan which will be completed with various facilities such as a shopping center, a hotel and other airport services.
"PT Angkasa Pura has invited investors to build the facilities in the LIA area measuring 551 hectares to become the second largest airport in Indonesia, after Soekarno-Hatta Airport," he said.
According to Syah, to support the development of the city airport, the government has been building some supporting infrastructure like asphalt roads and tourist resorts in the southern area of the airport.
Meanwhile, the runway would be extended from 2,750 meters to 3,000 meters, he said adding the government would put its funds in the project through the national budget 2013.
"Relating to this plan, we will rely on the Ministry of Transportation to realize it under the national budget 2013. The plan was the instruction of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Minister of Transportation E E Mangindaan," he said.
He added the economic sector has been growing around the area since LIA was operated in October 1, 2011.
"The direct impact is an increase in tourist visits to Praya, Central Lombok District to meet the one million tourist visits target set for the Visit Lombok, Sumbawa (VLS) 2012`s campaign," he said.
(Uu.A060/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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