Welcoming IKN, 40 International Airlines Jajaki Open Routes To Balikpapan

JAKARTA - A total of 40 international airlines are exploring flights to and from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, in line with the progress of the development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN).

"In early July representatives from these airlines will be here to see what they need to prepare if they open a flight route here," said General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Sepinggan Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, April 29.

The arrival of representatives of the airlines is scheduled for July 7-9, 2023. Syaugi Shahab said that including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, as well as Jetstar, Scoot, Vietjet, and Virgin Airlines.

This includes those who have served routes from Balikpapan such as Scoot, AirAsia Indonesia, and Batik Air.

"We also expect the arrival of the Secretary General of the International Aviation Association Board of Airline Representatives Indonesia (Barindo) Susi Sharma," added Shahab.

The visit of these representatives is also to find out the potential and development of IKN, as well as the suitability or synchronization between the airport and IKN.

This synchronization is for example roads and routes available to airports from IKN, what modes of transportation are available, and how much time is needed, both available at this time or later when IKN is completely operational. Including the development plan.

As the center of government, IKN is an international city with many diplomatic representatives of friendly countries, and according to their needs there will also be offices of various foreign companies that have businesses in Indonesia.

At Sepinggan Airport, it is planned to extend the runway from 2500 meters to 3200 meters with funds from the state budget. With a runway along it will be able to land comfortably with an Airbus 380 aircraft carrying 850 passengers, or a Boeing 777 with 600 passengers.

"For terminals, our terminal is currently designed to serve 10 million passengers per year, while the most passengers per year we serve are still five million people," said GM Syaugi Wahab.