IKN airport to operate limitedly in early September 2024
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Bandara IKN beroperasi terbatas awal September 2024
27 August 2024
By Heru Febrianto
Jakarta, ID – After its construction was delayed due to weather conditions, the government is optimistic that the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) airport in East Kalimantan will begin operating in a limited manner in early September 2024.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that he and Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono tested the runway at IKN airport on Sunday (25/8), and deemed the test successful.
“The take-off and landing tests using the calibration aircraft King Air Type 200 PK CAO progressed smoothly,” the Transportation Minister said in his press statement on Monday (26/8/2024).
Both the Transportation Minister and PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono directly observed the tests. The activity is part of a proving flight carried out to ensure the readiness of new flight routes.
During the test, not only the runway was tested, but also the airways around the airport. The design of these airways has been calculated to avoid potential conflicts with Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan and Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport in Samarinda.
“What we are doing is a kind of proving flight. What has been built is not only a runway, but also the airways. Everything has been designed to avoid conflict with the airports in Balikpapan and Samarinda. So, even with tight flight frequencies, there will be no conflicts in the airways,” Budi Karya explained.
He explained that a proving flight process is meant to ensure that runways and airways function excellently during operations. This includes testing the alignment and the integration of the air navigation system.
Next, after these tests, there will be several additional assessments related to flight safety and security. This process is crucial to ensure that airports are ready to operate with tight flight frequencies without issues.
On a separate occasion, Budi Karya mentioned that the IKN airport will be ready to accommodate aircraft such as the Indonesian presidential aircraft in early September 2024.
“[It can be landed by the presidential aircraft] in early September,” Budi said as quoted by Antara.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is planning to take office in IKN in September 2024. Currently, the State Secretariat Ministry and the Cabinet Secretariat are preparing the relocation of the presidential office to IKN.
Completion in December
Meanwhile, PUPR Minister Basuki said that, currently, the runway construction at the IKN airport has reached a size of 1,025 x 30 metres.
“Today, despite the drizzle, we have reached 1,025 metres. The target is to reach 2,200 metres in early September so that it can accommodate B737 aircraft,” Basuki said, as quoted from the official Instagram account of the PUPR Ministry.
To achieve a runway length of 2,200 x 30 metres in September 2024, Basuki mentioned that the PUPR Ministry has prepared various efforts, such as utilising weather modification technology.
“The terminal and the apron have been completed. So, only the taxiway is left. Inshallah (God willing), if the weather is conducive, we can implement weather modification technology to achieve the 2,200-metre target,” he stated.
Meanwhile, by December 2024, the runway at IKN airport is expected to reach a length of 3,000 metres to be fully completed. In line with the plan, landing and take-off tests, or a proving flight, have been carried out at the IKN airport. Basuki ensures that the results are satisfactory.
“The proving flight is not only for landing, but also for the traffic line, as it is near [the airports in] Samarinda and Balikpapan,” he added.
Previously, the Acting IKN Authority Head said that the implementation of infrastructure projects in IKN cannot be forced. This is in line with the directive from President Jokowi when he attended the first limited meeting at the Garuda Palace in IKN North Penajam Paser in East Kalimantan recently.
“He directed that projects should not be rushed just for the Independence Day event. He was firm that this applies to all projects, not only the airport. So, nothing should be forced,” Basuki said at the time.
Highways Director General of the PUPR Ministry, Rachman Arief, explained that the planned apron facility will be located at three locations and will function as helipads for important guests.
Besides the apron and the runway, the PUPR Ministry must also facilitate road access from the VVIP airport to the provincial road in North Penajam Paser.
Rachman said that the land preparation process for the airport construction is fully supported by the local regional government and the main stakeholder, the PUPR Ministry, in terms of construction and operation.
“We will coordinate with our colleagues at the Transportation Ministry to prepare access from the VVIP airport to the provincial road that is currently being used,” he explained.
Long process required
Meanwhile, aviation observer Gerry Soejatman said that the commercial operation of IKN airport still requires a long process. This means that, even though the runway at the IKN airport may be completed, the government still needs to ensure the demand for the passenger airport.
“Even if the airport is completed next month, the process of the airport becoming a commercial airport depends on the demand. The demand relies on the population of IKN, including civil servants or locals, who will drive the economy in IKN,” Gerry said to Investor Daily.
According to him, the runway can be completed quickly as it is a state order. However, the operation of the IKN airport in the future depends on the population of IKN and the activities held there.
“If the runway is completed next month, it does not guarantee passengers flying to IKN. There are no activities in the area. The economic wheel has not turned. So, I think if the runway is completed next month, the terminal will not be ready. Moreover, there are certifications and other aspects that require a long process for the airport to hold commercial operation,” he explained.
He added that the Transportation Ministry, through the Air Transportation Directorate General, will temporarily manage the airport, similar to what has been done by many airport operators in regions under the authority of the Air Transportation Directorate General.
“So, even if it is completed tomorrow, it is not a problem as long as there are passengers flying to IKN. For a time, the IKN airport will be managed by the Transportation Ministry with the state budget. So, the maintenance of the runway and other facilities will be temporarily managed by the national aviation regulator,” he added.
Next article: Bali Utara toll road not yet a priority
