Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Head of South Kalimantan Transportation Agency M Fitri Hernadi said that the provincial government continues its effort to restore the international status of Syamsudin Noor Banjarmasin Airport in Banjarbaru.
Fitri, who was confirmed here on Monday, said that intensive communication was conducted with the new central government under President Prabowo Subianto and VP Gibran Rakabuming, especially the new Transportation Minister.
"Hopefully with the new government we will be facilitated the acceleration for Syamsudin Noor Airport returning to international status," he said.
Fitri also said that the provincial government with the state airport operator Angkasa Pura plan to extend the runway by 300-500 meters, so that Syamsudin Noor is more suitable to be international airport.
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"Actually Syamsudin Noor runway can already be used for wide-body aircraft landing, but it will be extended further so that more jumbo aircraft can (land)," said Fitri.
Syamsudin Noor became international airport after the construction of the new terminal was ianugurated by President Joko Widodo in 2019.
However, the Ministry of Transportation revoked its international status on April 2, 2024.
Fitri expounded that the aim to restore Syamsudin Noor Airport status to be international is for the sake to advance air transportation in South Kalimantan Province.
Especially for umrah trips that the flight can go directly to the Holy Land, no longer via Jakarta or Surabaya.
Because, he said, the potential for the umrah departure in this province every month reaches 6,000 people.
"Apart from Hajj pilgrims departure which is directly from this airport," he said.
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