By: Naufal Putra Bratajaya )*
The development of IKN (National Capital City) is supported by various parties, including the management of SAMS Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan. As the main airport for IKN, the manager beautifies it so that it can welcome passengers who will come to the archipelago. The Airport Manager supports IKN because it will have a positive impact on the tourism and economic sectors.
When the capital city will be moved from DKI Jakarta to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, preparations are continuing. The development of the national capital must be as perfect as possible because it will represent the face of Indonesia. Later IKN will be named ‘Nusantara’ and become a dynamic, ultra-modern city.
The construction of the National Archipelago National Park is fully supported by the manager of SAMS Airport (Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman). Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, General Manager of PT AP1 at SAMS Sepinggan Balikpapan Airport, said that PT. Angkasa Pura 1 SAMS Airport in the face of moving the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago to East Kalimantan.
Ahmad Syaugi Shahab continued, SAMS Sepinggan Airport must be ready to support IKN and serve optimally every state guest who comes to East Kalimantan in the context of IKN. In order to support IKN, we have prepared several programs, including the extension of the airport runway which is still in progress. Then the repair program on the terminal side and repair of chiller air conditioners.
Communication has been carried out with the Head of the IKN Authority Bambang Susantono and PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono so that the Authority can provide a stand or mockup that depicts the IKN or IKN Zero Point in the SAMS Sepinggan Airport area. The goal is that visitors can get an overview of the IKN and take pictures even though they can’t directly visit the IKN.
The support from the management of SAMS Sepinggan Airport is very meaningful because access to IKN Nusantara will be easier. If there are IKN visitors, they will automatically fly to Balikpapan, then continue with a land trip to Indonesia. The airport, which is equipped with facilities, will be able to accommodate passengers and make them feel more comfortable visiting East Kalimantan.
The development of the IKN will have a positive impact on the tourism and economic sectors, therefore the management of SAMS Airport fully supports it. Rika Danakusuma, General Manager of SAMS Sepinggan Airport, stated that her party also positively welcomed the government’s plan to build an IKN in East Kalimantan.
Moreover, the moment of development was increasingly felt after President Joko Widodo invited all governors to gather at the IKN, Monday 14 March 2023. There were 33 governors arriving through SAMS Sepinggan Airport. Rika became one of the people who was busy welcoming guests from various regions.
Rika continued, in terms of capacity, SAMS Sepinggan Airport is ready because it has a capacity of up to 10 million. Meanwhile, there are currently around 5 million passengers. Meanwhile for other facilities, his party as the airport manager will continue to improve and maintain the existing facilities.
After there is an IKN development activity, more and more people will be passing into East Kalimantan. Moreover, SAMS Sepinggan Airport will become the main airport. IKN will open a new page for East Kalimantan.
The repair of SAMS Sepinggan Balikpapan Airport is very good because it will support the world of tourism in East Kalimantan. Balikpapan is a transit point before IKN workers and visitors come to North Penajam Paser. After a short break, they visited various tourist spots in Balikpapan.
Ishak Nurdin, Head of Teritip Village Pokdarwis, Balikpapan City, stated that as tourism activists in Balikpapan City, he was grateful and very supportive of the transfer of IKN to East Kalimantan. The reason is because it will have a positive impact on tourism and improving the community’s economy.
Ishak added, with the IKN in East Kalimantan, visitors to tourist attractions in Teritip Village, Balikpapan, have increased quite a bit, from only 300 people one month, now it has reached 1,000 people. The increase in tourist visits is seen around 90% of the existing data.
In a sense, the relocation of the IKN from DKI Jakarta to East Kalimantan has not only had a positive impact on residents in Penajam Paser Utara, but also in Balikpapan. The reason is because there is an increase in tourist visits and it benefits business people, both those who own hotels, motels, amusement parks, to entrepreneurs in the food sector. His business will be even busier thanks to the development of the Archipelago IKN.
With support from various parties, the community is optimistic that the IKN development will run smoothly. All parties, from airport managers to business actors, support IKN because it will have a positive impact on the economy, tourism, etc.
When the management of SAMS Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan, supports IKN Nusantara, it is very good. The reason is because this airport is the entry point for visitors who come from outside Kalimantan or other areas, then continue their journey to IKN Nusantara. The support is very meaningful because it will expedite the government’s plan to build the National Archipelagic National Institute for years to come.
)* The author is a contributor to the Inti Media Institute
