IKN Flying Taxi Will Be Tested This Month, Ministry Of Transportation: Can Be Done As Long As It Doesn't Disturb The Plane

Flying taxi illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has opened its voice about the ujj try a sky taxi or flying taxi for the capital city of Nusantara (IKN), East Kalimantan. Trials can be done as long as they do not interfere with flights.

For your information, the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) targets trials or Proof-of-Concept (POC) of flying taxis for IKN in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan to be carried out in July 2024.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation, Sigit Hani Hadiyanto, said that in principle the policy of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAM) or flying taxis uses a separate mechanism or segregationd.

"So the provider or whatever the operator is, with a concept that of course still uses air space that does not intersect with manned aircraft air space, it can be done," he explained when met at the Indonesia Aero Summit 2024 event, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 2.

Even so, Sigit admitted that his party still needed further studies regarding the operation of the flying taxi. Moreover, this mode is still a concern for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

"Of course, a comprehensive study is needed on the following, because the concept of flying taxis is also one thing that is still being observed around the world. ICAO as the whole aviation regulation is also still conducting studies on this matter," said Sigit.

Thus, said Sigit, flying taxis certainly need special permission to be operated at IKN, considering that drone use cannot be carried out in any airspace.

"We just have to see how the operator is ready, coordinates with airports and navigation arrangements, then permission will be granted when all aspects are deemed to have met the applicable requirements and safety assessments," he explained.

Flying Taxi Will Be Tested In Samarinda

Previously, the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) targeted a trial or Proof-of-Concept (POC) for flying taxis for IKN in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan.

"There is a Hyundai from South Korea (South Korea) who wants to be tested in July regarding the flying taxi POC," said Deputy for Green Transformation and Digital Authority of IKN Mohammed Ali Berawi in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, May 27.

Ali said the trial in July, Hyundai will involve the Samarinda City Government (Pemkot) to use Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Airport regarding a test flight taxi.

OIKN itself last year tested a flying taxi at Budiarto Curug Airport, Tangerang, where the test-tested flying taxi came from the Chinese EHang company with a capacity of two people.

"If what will be tested in Samarinda, the flying taxi is for five people, so the capacity is greater," said Ali.