JAKARTA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government has started the construction to widen Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, to open direct flights for foreign tourists.

"With a wider runway, the airport will be able to welcome airplanes from international flights, so foreign tourists can directly disembark in Labuan Bajo," Indonesian President Joko Widodo told a press conference on Tuesday broadcasted online by the Presidential Secretariat Office, after inaugurating the ceremony to mark the construction.

Labuan Bajo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia after Bali resort island known for its beautiful beaches.

As a domestic airport, Komodo Airport currently does not serve international arrivals. To get there, travelers usually take routes from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali or Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.

Widodo said the airport's current runway area was only 2,600 meters long. With an additional 100 meters, the airport is expected to be able to accommodate wide-body aircraft which usually serve international flights.

"We hope that this effort can boost foreign tourists coming to the Labuan Bajo," Widodo said. Enditem

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