On Friday, September 28, the International Airport Commander-in-Chief of FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, will receive its first international flight, with the arrival of an airplane from Darwin, Australia.

Inaugurated on June 20, 2017 and located about 15 kilometers from the city of Suai, in the municipality of Covalima the airport has a 1,500-meter-long runway and modern facilities for accommodating passengers and support navigation.

Facilities include a new terminal, control tower, fire station, weather station and heliport with evacuation service by air ambulance. The need to extend and reclaim the old Suai runway and build new and modern facilities was identified in the 2011-2030 National Strategic Development Plan.

The airport allows the increase of national communications and promotion of the development of the south coast, supporting activities related to oil and minerals, agriculture, tourism, health and safety.

The flights between Darwin and Suai will be operated by Northern Oil & Gas Australia (NOGA) for human resource transport operations for offshore oil rigs in the Timor Sea. The Australian company has received special authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority of Timor-Leste (AACTL) which ensures that the necessary safety conditions for the connection between Darwin and Suai are met.

This air link will allow the company to set up its base of operations in Suai, which will favor the economic development of the region.

The inaugural flight will arrive at the International Airport Commander-in-Chief of the FALINTIL, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão at 10:00 am on September 28, with the presence of the Chairman of NOGA and its structure.