KONTAN.CO.ID - JAKARTA. Silangit International Airport in North Sumatra is to be expanded to become almost five times its current size.

As reported by kompas.com, PT Angkasa Pura II president director Muhammad Awaluddin said on Monday that tourism around Lake Toba increased after the airport was revitalized in 2017, which allowed direct flights from Jakarta.

“The airport needs to have a capacity for 1 million passengers per year,” Awaluddin said. “It is the main access for tourists traveling to Lake Toba, which has been named one of the 'New Bali' destinations.”

The airport’s runway is also to be expanded, from 2,400 by 30 meters in size to 2,650 by 45 m, to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 NG.  

In addition, the airport's parking facilities are to be expanded to 8,231 square m, while a 2,250-sq-m cargo warehouse is to be built.

The airport has recorded a continuous increase in passenger numbers since 2017, up to 425,476 people last year. The expansion is intended to double the airport's current capacity for 500,000 passengers per year.

Editor: Herlina Kartika Dewi