PUPR Spokesperson Ensures IKN Airport Can't Be Used During The August 17 Ceremony

Spokesperson for the Ministry of PUPR Endra S Atmawidjaja. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - It is certain that VVIP Airport in the State Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago cannot be used during the celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.

Thus, state guests will also be transferred to Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of PUPR Endra S Atmawidjaja also mentioned the reason. He said this was because only 300-400 m of the runway or runway target had been completed.

"Yes, while we can't use IKN Airport yet. We don't catch up with 17 (August), moreover we will stop (all temporary IKN projects) on the 10th, yes. So, on the 10th, it won't be finished," said Endra when met in the Kuningan area, South Jakarta, Wednesday, July 31.

Endra explained that weather factors are the main obstacle to the smooth running of the project. In fact, the Ministry of PUPR has used weather modification technology to overcome these obstacles, including adding workers.

Until now, he said, only 300-400 runways have been completed, from the projected 2,200 m target, which is projected to be functional for the August 17 ceremony.

Endra said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had also instructed that the airport should not be forced to use it for the August 17 ceremony.

"It seems that it will still not be achieved, that's why the president (Jokowi) said yesterday not to force it, because the compaction (runway) also needs a process. We were late there. We did the procurement, the capping layer has been completed, just go to the asphalt," he said.

On the other hand, Endra said that the name of the airport is no longer VVIP Airport. This is because the government targets that the airport can later be opened to the public, aka commercialized.

Therefore, he continued, IKN Airport is currently not named yet. The runway completion target is also focused on completing it completely, aka being completed up to 3,000 m.

"The exact name does not yet exist, but what is clear is that it is not only intended for VVIP. We are objective for 3,000 m," he added.