TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The governor of West Sumatra Irwan Prayitno, is slated to inaugurate the new Pusako Anak Nagari Airport in Pasaman Barat Regency on Thursday, September 18, 2014.
"If there are no troubles, then the airport, which is located in Luhak District in Pasaman Barat will immediately begin operations. Susi Air will operate three scheduled flights a week from the airport," said the Head of Communications and Informations at Pasaman Barat's Transport Agency, Bobby P Riza, at Simpang Ampek on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.
Bobby said that his agency is currently preparing the new airport for the inauguration ceremony.
Currently, Susi Air is set to serve the Padang-Simpang Ampek-Padang route from the airport on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Flights to Simpang Ampek departs at 10 a.m. local time, while the return flight departs Simpang Ampek around 11 a.m. local time.
According to Bobby, tickets for the 30 minute flight are priced at Rp300,000 per person. "Passengers could purchase the ticket at Pasaman Barat's Transport Agency, or at Susi Air's counter at Minangkabau International Airport in Padang," he explained.
Bobby hopes that the inauguration of the airport would make trips between Padang and Pasaman Barat easier to make. Currently, it takes around five hours to reach Simpang Ampek from Padang by road - compared to 30 minutes by air.
"The airport is hoped to lure investors to invest in Pasaman Barat by providing easy access to the region via air," said Bobby.
ANTARANEWS