Transportation Ministry Prepares Govt Regulation Regarding Parairan Airport: Supporting Tourism Sector
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 - Kemenhub Siapkan Peraturan Pemerintah Soal Bandara Parairan: Dukung Sektor Wisata
16 October 2021
By: Thresa Sandra Desfika
The Transportation Ministry is preparing a government regulation draft regarding seaplane bases to support the national tourism sector. Transportation Minister, Budi Karya Sumadi, said that Indonesia was an archipelagic state, so seaplanes and their facilities, such as seaplane bases, could be developed to be an interisland transportation mode, especially to improve tourism.
“The construction of seaplane bases is expected to provide an alternative transportation to improve the added value of tourism activities,” Transportation Minister, Budi, said during an online public expose titled RPP Bandar Udara Perairan dalam Mendukung Pariwisata Nusantara melalui Kolaborasi Anak Bangsa (Government Regulation Draft on Seaplane Bases to Support National Tourism through Collaboration among the Nation’s Children) on Friday (15/10).
He revealed that the regulation on seaplanes and seaplane bases in Indonesia was still very general, even lacking. This is because the regulation still refers the regulation on air transportation. Meanwhile, seaplanes and seaplane bases are also related to the sea transportation sector.
“The existing conditions must be modified and contextualised for water base operation,” Budi said.
Besides that, he added that flight and shipping regulations must also be intensely harmonised, which included cooperation among ministries and institutions, regional governments, business enterprises, and academics to create a holistic regulation.
“Thank you to all parties that have been involved in the creation of the government regulation draft on seaplane bases,” the Transportation Minister explained.
Furthermore, he said that financing for the construction of seaplane bases in the future must also be studied. So, the state budget does not have to be relied on, but it will be still be feasible for the private sector.
“Seaplane bases in Indonesia is not easy. A creative funding scheme is required, and we must provide a recommendation,” Budi Karya said.
Budi said that seaplane and seaplane base development could improve connectivity in remote and outermost areas.
Meanwhile, Research and Development Agency on Transportation (Balitbanghub) Head, Umar Aris, revealed that his agency and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) were creating the government regulation draft on seaplane bases. The government regulation draft is currently undergoing a public test to receive a more comprehensive input.
“This study is a response to the increasing demand for water to water and water to land transportation using seaplanes,” Umar Aris explained.
Umar mentioned that his agency had tested a seaplane on Gili Iyang Island. “To be more reliable, besides an FGD (focus group discussion), we also tested a seaplane operation in Gili Iyang,” Umar added.
During the occasion, UGM Cooperation Sector Deputy Rector and Alumni, Paripurna, reckoned that seaplane transportation and seaplane bases could be developed in Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“Considering the calm waters and the facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, and other facilities, Mandalika SEZ has great potential to be the location for seaplane and seaplane base development,” he stated.
He said that there were only four seaplane bases in Indonesia, on Moyo Island, belonging to Newmont in West Nusa Tenggara, on Bawah Anambas Island, and on Kahayan River.
According to Paripurna, the government regulation draft created by Balitbanghub and UGM has accommodated several aspects, such as permit, construction, base operation, environment preservation, and other supporting conditions.
“Support from all parties are required to realise an optimal result,” he said.
On the other hand, in line with the effort to support the tourism sector in Bali, the government announced that Bali was ready to open international travels from 19 countries.
“In line with the direction from the President, we will permit 19 countries to travel to Bali and Riau Islands,” Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said this week.
The 19 countries are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, and Norway.
There is a reason behind the permit for the 19 countries. The countries are chosen in line with the standards from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the countries only reach level 1 and 2 with low positivity rate.
“The 19 countries can only enter Indonesia via direct flight to Bali and Riau Islands,” Coordinating Minister Luhut continued.
