President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is poised to inaugurate two upcoming airports in Papua, marking a significant stride in the government’s commitment to fostering balanced development, particularly in the Eastern region of Indonesia. The scheduled inauguration will showcase Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire, Central Papua, and Siboru Airport in Fakfak, West Papua.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi expressed enthusiasm about these developments, stating, “We’ve meticulously crafted aesthetically pleasing airports in Papua, and they are all set to be inaugurated by President Jokowi this Thursday,” as conveyed on Thursday (23/11/2023).
Both Douw Aturure Airport and Siboru Airport hold the distinction of being classified as national strategic projects (PSN), a testament to their vital role in the broader development agenda initiated by the government.
Budi Karya shed light on the collaborative nature of these projects, emphasizing the synergy between the central and regional governments. In this context, he outlined that the regional government’s contribution involved providing the necessary land, while the central government took charge of the construction process, encompassing the terminal, runway, and other essential facilities.
Budi Karya expressed hope that the presence of these two airports would significantly contribute to streamlining the movement of people to and from Papua, covering regions such as Nabire and Fakfak.
“We seek the support of regional governments to actively promote these airports, ensuring that passenger and flight activities become more vibrant and beneficial for the local communities,” he conveyed.
Highlighting the timeline of these infrastructure endeavors, it was disclosed that the construction of Siboru Airport spanned from 2020 to 2023, while Douw Aturure Airport took shape between 2020 and 2022.
In a broader context, referring to the Strategic Plan (Renstra) and the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) until 2024, a noteworthy pipeline of around 19 priority airport projects is earmarked for inauguration by President Jokowi before the year 2024 unfolds. This portfolio includes the establishment of 10 entirely new airports and the enhancement of 9 existing airports, potentially entailing the addition of new terminals.
Delving into specifics, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s budget projection for the year 2023 underscores a targeted investment in the construction of 6 new airports. The allocated funds amount to a substantial Rp1.13 trillion, reflecting the government’s strategic focus on bolstering aviation infrastructure and connectivity in the region.
 is poised to inaugurate two upcoming airports in Papua, marking a significant stride in the government's..){kind=link}