VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) targets the operation of the Nusantara Capital Airport (IKN Airport) to fully start in December 2024 after the groundbreaking for its construction on Wednesday.

"Today is the groundbreaking for IKN Airport. The operation is targeted to run in December 2024," the president stated while inaugurating the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the IKN Airport in the IKN area, East Kalimantan, as accessed from a video broadcast in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to the president, the construction of IKN Airport is targeted for completion and can be used in June 2024 but will officially fully operate in December 2024.

He stated that IKN Airport is important to support the activities and people's mobility from and to IKN Nusantara.

The head of state remarked that IKN Airport is built specifically to support government activity in IKN and support connectivity in IKN.

With a total area of 347 hectares and a runway of 3,000 x 45 meters, IKN Airport can serve wide-bodied aircraft, he noted.

Jokowi also stated that IKN Airport is equipped with a terminal area of 7,530 square meters for the comfort of passengers.

"This airport will accommodate and improve access to and from IKN with better connectivity and easier to reach from anywhere," he remarked.

The president believes that IKN Airport can increase competitiveness, drive economic growth, encourage the development of potential in the regions, and accelerate IKN development that is currently underway.

During the second day of his working visit to East Kalimantan, Jokowi will also inspect the toll road construction project that will later connect Balikpapan City with the IKN area.

Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Ad Interim Erick Thohir, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono also accompanied Jokowi during his working visit. (Antaranews)