TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sentani Airport in Jayapura, Papua, is being beautified to welcome athletes participating in the PON XX National Games and the XVI National Paralympic Games, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) has confirmed.

Jayapura is slated to host the two events in October and November this year.

Besides airport beautification, airport facilities are also being improved, such as through extending and resurfacing the airport's only runway, Sentani Airport's public relations officer, Surya Eka, told ANTARA in Sentani on Tuesday.

Improvements to the terminal include renovation of the passenger departure terminal, and check-in, arrival, and toilet areas, the official said adding, public facilities at the airport will feature local Sentani carving art to emphasize and introduce local culture to travelers.

The extension and resurfacing of the airport's runway is being undertaken to allow larger narrow-body aircraft to land at the airport, Eka informed.

The airport currently has a single three-thousand-meter runway with apron facilities, including 13 parking stands for narrow-body aircraft, 11 parking stands for propeller aircraft, and eight parking stands for cargo aircraft.

The public facilities at the airport comprise a single two-storied terminal extending over an area of 14,300 square meters and waiting room facilities for around 2,045 people, Eka said.

With sufficient airport terminal runway facilities, the airport could cater to larger narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing B737 series ferrying athletes and officials to Jayapura city and Jayapura district, the official added.

The PON XX National Games are scheduled to take place from October 2-15, 2021, and the XVI National Paralympic Games are scheduled to be held from November 2-15, 2021. Besides Jayapura city and Jayapura district, both games will also be hosted by Mimika and Merauke districts.

Read: Sports Minister Assures PON Papua to be Held on Schedule

ANTARA