Deputy Interior Minister: Transformation of Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire a Symbol of Hope
Deputy Interior Minister of the Republic of Indonesia (Wamendagri) Ribka Haluk expressed her gratitude for the realisation of the development of Douw Aturure Airport, which can now be landed on by large-bodied aircraft. According to Ribka, the transformation of the airport serves as a symbol of hope for better development.
“Today, on 20 April 2026, as the Deputy Interior Minister, I am overjoyed because what we dreamed of at that time, namely extending Douw Aturure Airport to accommodate Boeing aircraft landings, has all come to fruition. Today, the Vice President’s aircraft of the Republic of Indonesia landed at Douw Aturure Airport,” said Ribka in a written statement on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
Ribka conveyed this after accompanying the working visit of Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia (Wapres) Gibran Rakabuming Raka to Nabire Regency, Central Papua, on Monday (20/4).
Ribka added that this success is proof that the development efforts undertaken so far have not been in vain. According to Ribka, this realisation is a manifestation of God’s grace for the people of Central Papua.
Ribka also recalled her initial journey when she served as acting governor in the region, which was full of challenges.
“When I first arrived here as acting governor, I once prostrated myself at the airport. Many people doubted and even slandered, but God allowed everything to proceed well,” said Ribka.
During the visit, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka directly inspected the readiness and development of the airport to ensure that air transportation infrastructure can support community mobility and regional economic growth.
This inspection is part of the implementation of President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto’s directives regarding the acceleration of strategic infrastructure development in eastern Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the Head of Aviation at the Central Papua Provincial Transportation Office, Samuel Ricky Rantelimbong, explained that Douw Aturure Airport is managed by the Nabire Class II Airport Organising Unit (UPBU) with airside and landside facilities that continue to be developed.
“This airport has airside facilities such as runway, apron, taxiway, runway strip, as well as landside facilities like passenger terminal, cargo terminal, powerhouse, and other supporting buildings,” explained Samuel.
Samuel stated that the runway has been extended from 1,600 metres to 2,500 metres, allowing Boeing-type aircraft to land.
This infrastructure greatly supports the aviation needs for large-capacity aircraft. However, further development is still needed, especially for the passenger terminal, which currently meets ATR aircraft standards.
“For that reason, future development is required, such as runway widening, apron expansion, terminal development, construction of passenger boarding bridges, and improvement of other supporting facilities,” said Samuel.
Through the inspection of various strategic infrastructures, the central government reaffirms its commitment to accelerating development and strengthening connectivity in Central Papua as a new autonomous region.
For information, this working visit was also attended by several officials, including the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menkopolkam) Djamari Chaniago, the Head of the Central Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Agency Petrus Waine, and the Acting Secretary to the Vice President Al Muktabar.