Jakarta (ANTARA) – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has stated that transportation facilities and infrastructure in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), were ready for the 42nd ASEAN Summit on May 9-11, 2023.He visited Labuan Bajo on Saturday to check the readiness of a number of transportation facilities and infrastructure, including Komodo Airport. In a statement, he assured that the airport, which will welcome delegations from all countries participating in the summit, is ready to serve all guests. “In a few days, we will have many guests from ASEAN. The preparations at the airport have been very good. The residents of Labuan Bajo are also happy to welcome the delegates,” he conveyed. Sumadi noted that the facilities at Komodo Airport were ready to assist VVIP and commercial flights. Komodo Airport has a runway length of 2,650 meters and a width of 45 meters, which can serve A320 and B738 aircraft. It also has an apron area of 31,000 square meters for seven parking stands and a passenger terminal covering an area of 13,366 square meters, which can accommodate up to 1.1 million passengers per year. To expedite the movement of aircraft, the ministry has also prepared alternative airports closest to Komodo Airport as a place to park the delegates’ planes. The airports include I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Lombok Praya Airport, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, and El Tari Airport in Kupang. number of other supporting facilities have also been prepared to support ASEAN Summit activities, including custom inspection, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) facilities, and helipad facilities for medical evacuation. part from checking the airport, Sumadi also checked the transportation facilities provided in the form of 25 vans and 30 drivers. The drivers have been prepared with their good understanding of the characteristics and road conditions in Labuan Bajo, Sumadi said. The minister also inspected the KM Sinabung ship which will function as a floating hotel for officers accompanying delegations from ASEAN countries. The ship has been docked at Marina Labuan Bajo Pier since Saturday morning and can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers. During his inspection, the minister also reviewed the meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) area at Golo Mori which will later be used for the side events of the 42nd ASEAN Summit. The MICE area in Golo Mori was developed by the state-owned PT Indonesia Tourism Development or the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

Source: Antara News Agency