Nusantara airport to serve wide-bodied passenger aircraft

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Nusantara Capital City Airport will serve wide-bodied passenger aircraft, Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said on Wednesday.

“Later, the biggest aircraft that will be served by this airport are Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380,” he said in a statement issued by his ministry.

The construction project for the airport officially began after President Joko Widodo, Sumadi, and other ministers carried out the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.

The airport, which is located in Penajam sub-district, North Penajam Paser district, East Kalimantan, is a special airport that will be used to support government activities and connectivity in Nusantara.

It is situated 23 kilometers from the Nusantara’s kilometer zero point and 120 kilometers from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Sumadi stated that the government is committed to developing transportation infrastructure in North Penajam Paser district, where Nusantara is located, in order to achieve equitable development with an Indonesia-centric paradigm.

“The development of this airport is expected to be able to boost the growth of the economy and tourism in the East Kalimantan area,” he said.

The airport will cover a total area of 347 hectares, with a runway measuring 3,000 x 45 meters, taxiway A measuring 180 x 30 meters, taxiway B measuring 180 x 30 meters, and an apron spanning 102,150 square meters. The VVIP and VIP terminals will together cover an area of 7,352 square meters.

The airport is targeted to commence operations and serve flights in July 2024, and it is expected to become fully operational for flights by December 2024.

The construction is being carried out under a multi-year contract, spanning from the 2023 to 2024 budget year.

The Ministry of Transportation is responsible for the construction of facilities on the land side, while the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing is overseeing the construction of air side facilities.

Meanwhile, the design concept for the airport terminals will combine elements of local wisdom that highlight Kalimantan culture, yet remain modern, nature-oriented, and environment-friendly.