E Luwu, S Sulawesi (ANTARA Sulsel) - East Luwu District Head Irman Yasin Limpo said work to extend the runway of the Soroako airport in East Luwu, South Sulawesi, has been 75 percent completed.
"We hope the work would be finished in April," the district head said here on Monday.
He and a number of district officials met with Tri Rahman Batara, a representative of PT Vale Indonesia, which has large nickel mines and smelter in Soroako.
Irman said the length of the runway would be increased from 1,050 meters to 1,350 meters to allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft.
He said expansion and modernization of the airport is a priority in the district administration`s development program as the airport is vital to lure in more investment to the region.
In cooperation between the Luwu Timur district administration and the South Sulawesi provincial administration, preparation has been made for commercial flights using ATR 72 aircraft to and from the Soroako airport, he said.
Commercial flights would be served between Soroako and other cities including Soroaka-Balikpapan-Samarinda, Soroako - Makassar-Surabaya and Soroako-Bua-Makassar.