DILI, 06 October 2025 (TATOLI) – The runway expansion project at Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Comoro, Dili, is now under way.
The Indonesian company Waskita Karya, selected to execute the project, has already started on-site works.
Residents of the nearby Marinir Beto-Tasi area, affected by the development, have begun relocating after receiving compensation from the government.
The update was confirmed by Minister for Transport and Communications, Miguel Manetelu, during a site inspection on Saturday.
The minister expressed gratitude to the families for their cooperation, saying that several residents had already begun demolishing their homes to allow the project to move forward.
“The compensation funds cover both homes and plantations located on the affected land,” Manetelu said. “There are 50 families involved in disputes over ownership, but around 40 have acknowledged that the land is not theirs and have accepted compensation.”
Heavy machinery, including excavators, has been deployed to clear houses and vegetation from the designated construction areas.
The runway expansion will be carried out in three stages and will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, significantly boosting its capacity.
In the first phase, the runway will be extended from 1,850 metres to 2,100 metres.
The second phase will add another 400 metres toward the sea, reaching 2,500 metres.
Finally, in the third phase, the runway will be lengthened by a further 500 metres in the opposite direction, bringing the total length to 3,000 metres.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
