Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I has officially began operating the "new" Syamsudin Noor International Airport Banjarmasin on Tuesday (Dec 10, 2019).
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), starting today the new Syamsuddin Noor Airport is officially on operation and its status has risen to become an international airport," President Director of Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Faik Fahmi, accompanied by Syamsudin Noor International Airport GM Indah Preastuty, remarked here in Banjarbaru.
The inauguration was marked by the release of first passengers, then delivery of flowers to the pilot and co-pilot.
Every passenger who flew on this first day was given a pin written with "first passenger", while the first arrival passengers were also received pins pinned by the airport ambassadors.
"We hope the new terminal that has been completed will provide a great benefits for the people of South Kalimantan in various sectors, especially in economy and tourism with more people coming," Faik pointed out.
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Specifically for tourism, the larger airport is expected to be able to boost the number of passengers coming. The Provincial Government of South Kalimantan have prepared 32 tourism activities to be held by the Tourism Office throughout 2020.
The international airport of Syamsudin Noor, he said, now able to accomodate 7 million passengers per year, increasing five times from the previous capacity of only 1.7 million people.
"The number of passengers both departing and coming to South Kalimantan is targeted to jump up by 8,000 everyday from the previous 6,000 passengers," he said enthusiastically.
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The airport operation has deliberately carried out faster than the schedule of inauguration to anticipate the surge of potential passengers facing holidays season.
"Today is the soft opening first, as a step to anticipate the peak season of Christmas and new year, in order all passengers are served in the new terminal," he said.
Meanwhile, the new Syamsudin Noor Airport is planned to be inauguated by President Joko Widodo on December 20, 2019 to coincide the commemoration of the National Social Solidarity Dayto be centered in South Kalimantan.
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The new Syamsudin Noor Int'l Airport begins operation
Selasa, 10 Desember 2019 22:32 WIB
A commercial aircraft uses garbarata (airbridges) at the new terminal of Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Tuesday (Dec 10, 2019). (ANTARA PHOTO/Bayu Pratama S/pdhp)
Alhamdulillah (Thank God), starting today the new Syamsuddin Noor Airport is officially on operation and its status has risen to become an international airport,
