Gibran Visits Central Papua, Inspects Air Infrastructure
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka departed for Central Papua province today, Monday, 20 April 2026. During this opportunity, Gibran directly inspected the development of Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire Regency, Central Papua.
According to a statement from the Vice Presidential Secretariat, this visit is aimed at ensuring the readiness of air transportation infrastructure to support community mobility and regional economic growth.
In the inspection, Gibran stressed the importance of accelerating the development of Douw Aturure Airport. “So that it can keep pace with the increasing air transportation needs in Central Papua,” stated the Vice Presidential Secretariat.
This former politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) encouraged synergy between the central and regional governments to ensure that airport infrastructure development runs optimally. This infrastructure development is expected to enhance inter-regional connectivity, streamline logistics distribution, and open up economic and investment opportunities for the local community.
Gibran’s activities are described as part of the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto’s directives on accelerating strategic infrastructure development. “Particularly air connectivity in eastern Indonesia, as an effort to promote equitable development and open access to remote areas,” wrote the Vice Presidential Secretariat.
Upon arrival at the location, Gibran was welcomed by the Governor of Central Papua, Meki Nawipa, along with members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and other stakeholders. The eldest son of former President Joko Widodo then proceeded to the airport terrace area to receive a brief presentation from Samuel Ricky Rantelimbong, Head of Aviation/Airport Division at the Central Papua Provincial Transportation Office.
Ricky explained that the airport is managed by the Nabire Class II Airport Organising Unit (UPBU) with various facilities on both the airside and landside.
According to him, the airport has airside facilities such as runway, apron (aircraft parking area), taxiway (aircraft roadway), runway strip (safety blank 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 supporting buildings.
Ricky stated that air transportation needs have increased significantly as Nabire develops as the provincial capital. “Thus, larger aircraft are required,” said Samuel.
Furthermore, he noted that Central Papua has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation regarding the airport’s development, while also participating in its construction.
Ricky then outlined that development has been carried out in stages. The Central Papua Provincial Government, he said, has supported by extending the runway from 1,600 metres to 2,500 metres. “Thanks to this development, Nabire Airport can now be landed by Boeing-type aircraft, although some airport facilities still use standards for ATR-type aircraft,” he stated.
“Therefore, future development is needed, such as widening the runway, expanding the apron, developing the terminal, constructing passenger boarding bridges, and improving other supporting facilities,” Ricky added.
In addition, Ricky stated the need to upgrade the firefighting vehicle category from ATR standards to Boeing standards.