Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has stated that the government plans to develop ten new airports to support the development of tourism in the country.

Airports would be developed in Lampung, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Central Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung and North Sumatra, said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi.

Tjilik Riwut Airport in Central Kalimantan was slated for completion this year, Budi said, adding that the the project had secured an investment of US$27 million.

Speaking about financial resources for the airport projects, Budi said that the government invited the private sector to help develop the airports because of a limited amount of funds for infrastructure from the state budget.

“There is an option that the airports would be owned by private companies, while the government would only supervise and operate the airports that would be developed by state-owned airport operators,” he said.