Gibran inspects Nabire Airport, now capable of accommodating Boeing aircraft
Nabire, Central Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, inspected the development of Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire Regency, Central Papua, on Monday, which can now be landed on by Boeing aircraft.
During the inspection, Gibran and his entourage received an explanation from Samuel Ricky Rantelimbong, Head of Airport Aviation at the Central Papua Provincial Transportation Office.
Ricky explained that as Nabire develops as the provincial capital, the need for air transportation has increased significantly.
“After Nabire developed into the provincial capital, the aviation needs increased, so larger aircraft are required,” said Ricky in explanation to the Vice President.
The Central Papua Government has signed an MoU with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regarding the development of this airport and participated in its construction.
Ricky outlined that the airport’s development has been carried out in stages.
The Central Papua Provincial Government has supported this by extending the runway from 1,600 metres to 2,500 metres.
“Thanks to this construction, Nabire Airport can now be landed on by Boeing-type aircraft, although some airport facilities still use standards for ATR-type aircraft,” he said.
Therefore, further development is needed, including widening the runway, expanding the apron, developing the terminal, constructing passenger boarding bridges, and improving other supporting facilities, such as fire trucks to Boeing standards.
The development of Nabire’s Douw Aturure Airport is intended to support community mobility and regional economic growth.
The airport has airside facilities such as runway, apron (aircraft parking area), taxiway (path for aircraft), runway strip (safety clear area on the sides and ends of the runway), as well as landside facilities like passenger terminal, cargo terminal, powerhouse (airport power centre), and several other supporting buildings.
During the inspection, the Vice President emphasised the importance of accelerating the development of Douw Aturure Airport to keep pace with the increasing air transportation needs in Central Papua.
The Vice President also encouraged synergy between the central and local governments to ensure that airport infrastructure development runs optimally, thereby improving inter-regional connectivity, smoothing logistics distribution, and opening up economic and investment opportunities for the local community.