VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Japanese government via the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), has expressed interest from several Japanese companies in building and operating airports in Indonesia, especially Sultan Aji Muhammad Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan. This was conveyed at the Air Transportation Working Group (ATWG) event, on January 18-20, 2024 in Bandung, West Java. Director for Airports at the Transportation Ministry's Directorate General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa, in a statement received in Jakarta, Saturday (20/01) said that Japan introduced four companies: Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd, JALUX Inc., Taisei and SECOM. Co. Ltd, all of which had experience in the construction and operation of major Japanese airports, such as Haneda and Narita. The four companies expressed their desire to collaborate in developing airports in Indonesia, especially in Balikpapan. These improvements would improve the function of Sultan Aji Muhammad Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, as the entrance to the capital of the archipelago. ATWG was one of the agendas for the 11th Vice-Ministerial Level Meeting between Indonesia and Japan in the transportation sector. Furthermore, Lukman said that Japan's extensive experience, technological capability, and expertise in airport development and operation both in Japan and abroad, is expected to help further develop Indonesia's aviation industry. Indonesia's proposal to improve travel routes to Japan was also discussed. With final discussions focusing on the Indonesia State Safety Program, and also developments in the use of alternative fuels for sustainable aviation (bioavtur), for flights across Indonesia.