The Construction of the New Capital Airport Begins, Ready to Serve Jumbo Aircraft Next Year!

In a significant milestone, the commencement of construction for the Nusantara Capital Airport (IKN) in Penajam Subdistrict, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan, has been officially initiated. This state-of-the-art airport is poised to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, including the Boeing B777 and Airbus A380, signifying a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s aviation infrastructure development.

The inauguration of this groundbreaking endeavor took place on Wednesday, the 1st of November 2023, with President Joko Widodo leading the ceremony. Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, expressed that the construction of the New Capital Airport reflects Indonesia’s commitment to realizing its vision of becoming a central hub for international travel and trade. The airport’s future role is not limited to facilitating domestic connections but extends to international interactions as well.

Budi Karya articulated the grand vision, stating, “We aspire for this airport to serve as an international gateway, attracting visitors from around the world and catalyzing the growth of tourism and various other international engagements.” This underscores the broader significance of the IKN Airport in enhancing Indonesia’s global connectivity.

It is worth noting that the development of the IKN Airport is a joint effort between the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) and the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub). While PUPR oversees the airside infrastructure, Kemenhub is responsible for the landside development. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic and efficient development process.

The IKN Airport is poised to cover a vast area, spanning 347 hectares, with provisions for future expansion to meet evolving needs. The runway’s specifications are impressive, with a length of 3,000 meters and a width of 45 meters, designed to accommodate a wide range of aircraft, from large commercial planes to international carriers.

Minister Budi Karya expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders involved in this monumental undertaking, including the Ministry of PUPR, the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), and others.

Their collective efforts have paved the way for the realization of the IKN Airport, which is poised to become a critical piece of Indonesia’s infrastructure puzzle, enhancing connectivity, and facilitating economic growth.