Today, President to commence groundbreaking of IKN airport project
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 - Hari ini, Presiden groundbreaking proyek bandara IKN
1 November 2023
Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to carry out the groundbreaking of the very, very important person (VVIP) airport in Nusantara Capital City (IKN) today (Wednesday, 1/11/2023).
“Today, I ensured and visited the location of the airport in IKN. Inshallah (God willing), the President is willing to carry out the groundbreaking tomorrow,” the Transportation Minister said in his official statement after checking the location of the IKN airport in North Penajam Paser in East Kalimantan on Tuesday (31/10/2023).
The Transportation Minister also observed the location that is located 23 km from IKN’s ground zero by air with a helicopter.
The Transportation Minister explained that the construction of the airport in IKN would be in line with the major concept of IKN that is nature-oriented and eco-friendly. Meanwhile, the concept design of the airport will mix local values and modern elements, so the design process will involve several architects.
“The IKN airport is constructed to support connectivity and government activities in IKN,” the Transportation Minister added.
Furthermore, the VVIP airport in IKN will have a runway of 3,000 x 45 metres to accommodate wide-body aircrafts, such as Boeing 777-300 ER and Airbus A380. The apron capacity can accommodate three wide-body aircrafts and one narrow-body aircraft or seven narrow-body aircrafts. The helipad can accommodate three helicopters.
“The terminal of the VVIP airport in IKN is constructed on top of a land of 7,000 m2, while the VVIP airport itself reaches around 1,500 m2 in size,” the Transportation Minister stated.
Besides visiting the potential location of the IKN airport, yesterday, the Transportation Minister also checked the potential location of the port in IKN. The port will support tourism around IKN as it will also function as a tourism port.
Construct toll road exits
On the other hand, IKN Infrastructure Development Implementation Task Force Chairperson Danis Sumadilaga said that the VVIP airport in IKN would be connected to IKN Toll Road section 5B. Hence, the Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry will construct exits from IKN Toll Road that are connected to the VVIP airport and regional roads.
“We cannot kill regional roads, so we will construct toll road exits in those areas,” Danis said last week.
Currently, IKN Toll Road sections 5B, 6A, and 6B are in development as basic connectivity infrastructure toward Central Government Core Area (KIPP) in IKN. The Highways Directorate General of the PUPR Ministry is assigned to develop the VVIP airport by preparing the runway, the apron, and the taxiway. Meanwhile, the Transportation Ministry is handling the terminal construction of the VVIP airport.
In line with Presidential Regulation Number 31 of 2023 on Acceleration in the Construction and Operation of Very, Very Important Person Airport to Support IKN, the Transportation Minister and the PUPR Minister were appointed by President Joko Widodo to lead the construction and the operation of the VVIP airport.
As quoted from the tender document on the official electronic procurement service (LPSE) page of the PUPR Ministry, the tender winner of the physical construction package of the VVIP airport in IKN will be determined around 30 October to 7 November 2023. The investment value of the VVIP airport project reaches Rp4.28 trillion.
“The prequalification announcement will be made around 29 September to 6 October 2023. The prequalification document disclosure will be made on 2 October 2023. The winner will be determined around 31 October 2023 to 7 November 2023. Meanwhile, the winner will be announced on 7 November 2023,” the PUPR Ministry stated in the tender document on the official LPSE page of the PUPR Ministry.
The tender for the physical construction package of the VVIP airport will be participated by 14 participants. Meanwhile, one of the technical qualification requirements for the tender participants is construction experience in the last four years.
“Construction experience in the last four years with the government or a private company, subcontracts are included,” the PUPR Ministry wrote in the tender document.
The document also mentions that the PUPR Ministry through East Kalimantan Central Chamber for National Road Implementation will construct the VVIP airport to improve the mobility of important guests from and to IKN by air.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo said that Balikpapan-Nusantara Toll Road and the VVIP airport were key projects in IKN that will encourage investors to invest in the new capital city.
“Both are key [projects]. When they are completed, I believe so. Even before they are completed, [investors are] already flocking [to invest]. After the two [projects] are completed, more investors will flock to invest in IKN,” the President said recently.
