Members Of The Indonesian House Of Representatives Suggest Biak Airport To Be A Transit For Papuan Flights

Yan Permenas Mandenas/Photo: Antara

BIAK - Member of Commission 1 of the DPR RI Yan Permenas Mandenas asked the Frans Kaisiepo Airport facility, Biak Numfor Regency to be a transit airport for all flight services entering the region in Papua.

"I hope that the Biak Numfor Regency Government will make a proposal for planning the development of Biak's Frans Kaiseipo Airport to be submitted to the central government through the Ministry of Transportation," said the legislator Yan Permenas Mandenas during a recess dialogue in Biak, Friday, March 4 night.

He admitted that if Biak airport became a transit point for all flight routes in Papua, the economic impact would be more for the region and the community.

In fact, Biak received another impact when Frans Kaisiepo airport became a transit point, according to Yan Mandenas, the occupancy rate for hotel services would be filled, thereby bringing in income for the region.

Yan said, as an example of the existence of Hasanuddin airport in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as a transit point for all flights in Eastern Indonesia, every passenger departing to the island of Java and other cities must transit.

According to Yan Mandenas, Hasanuddin airport as a transit city for flights in the eastern region of Indonesia, includes hotel accommodation where many guests stay waiting for departure time.

"I hope the Biak Numfor Regency Government can design a flight design for the Papua region through the Frans Kaisiepo Biak airport," hoped the Gerindra legislator for the Papuan constituency.

He admitted that the current condition is that although the flight facilities at Frans Kaisiepo airport are very good, there are very few flight activities to Biak airport.

For example, according to Yan Mandenas, airplane passengers from Nabire to Biak must go through Sentani Jayapura airport and continue flights to Biak, so it takes time and is not economical.

If there is a direct flight from Nabire to Biak, Yan continued, the travel time will be shorter and faster.

"This condition needs to be observed by the Biak Regency Government, Numfor, and other stakeholders so that Biak airport is more crowded. If necessary, open Biak-Japan international flights because of the historical history of World War II.

The face-to-face dialogue between members of Commission 1 of the DPR RI Yan Permenas Mandenas with the Biak Numfor Regency Government accompanied by the Biak Regional Secretary Markus Mansnembra was attended by Danrem 173/PVB Brigadier General Taufan Gestoro, representatives of Koopsau III, Danguskamlatim, Forkompinda, traditional leaders, women, youth and religious leaders.