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TRANSPORTATION Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said that the airport at the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara, East Kalimantan, can accommodate wide-body aircraft for flights from and to Europe.
“The airport’s runway is 3 thousand meters, and it can accommodate Boeing 777 aircraft. It can serve direct flights from IKN to Europe,” he informed in a statement issued on Friday (08/02), 2024.
The Nusantara Airport is targeted to be completed by the end of August 2024. Its runway is longer compared to other Kalimantan airports, such as Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport in Balikpapan, whose runway measures 2,400 meters, and Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport in Samarinda, whose runway spans 2,200 meters.
According to Sumadi, an airport with a 2,400-meter runway can only serve aircraft making 6- to 8-hour flights. Meanwhile, an airport with a 3 thousand-meter runway can serve aircraft with a flight duration of more than 10 hours.
Earlier, the minister said that the IKN Airport will serve VVIP guests and the general public. His ministry has held discussions with President Joko Widodo to change the designation of services for VVIP guests and the public.
According to him, the change in the status of IKN Airport is aimed at maximizing the function of the airport to serve the wider community as well.
“This aims to realize an even distribution and boost the economy with the maximal utilization of the airport. To change the airport’s status, a revision is needed in the existing presidential regulation, which stipulates the VVIP status of the airport,” Budi Karya remarked.
He continued that we will review the existing regulation because currently, the airport is only designated for VVIP guests. However, that the change in the airport’s status is not for commercialization, but to provide opportunities to serve the general public.
“So, the airport can become more optimal with the number of movements, not limited to VVIP,” he affirmed. [antaranews]
