On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, officially opened the Mentawai Airport on Sipora Island in the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra. The airport is anticipated to boost tourism to the nation's most remote island.

With a maximum passenger capacity of 78, the ATR 72-600 is among the large aircraft that can land on the 1,500 x 30-meter runway at the new airport. Previously, only Cessna aircraft with a 14-passenger capacity could fit on the 850 by 23-meter airstrip.

"We anticipate that more travelers will visit the Mentawai Islands now that the ATR planes can land [at the new airport], particularly surfers," Jokowi stated during the Mentawai Airport's opening, which was streamed live on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Wednesday, October 26, 2023.

Mentawai Islands is a top surfing destination that is popular with both domestic and international travelers. North Pagai Island, South Pagai Island, Sipora Island, and Siberut Island are its four main islands.

Blue waters and ideal waves for surfing may be found in Mentawai. Ten of the seventy-two surfing areas on the islands meet international standards.

Since the 1990s, Sipora Island has gained popularity among overseas travelers. There, in 1991, Australian surfer Lance Knight found the ideal wave and shared the news with the globe.

In addition, tourists wanting a real Indonesian island experience will find the Mentawai Islands to be a desirable location due to their pearly white sand, turquoise ocean, and lush flora.