Seven new airfields that are now up and running in Papua are hoped to facilitate access to isolated mountainous and coastal regions in Mimika and speed up much needed infrastructure development in the province.
The airfields, built by the Transportation Ministry using funds from the Mimika regency budget, include the Kokonao, Agimuga, Jita, Jila, Potowayburu, Mulu and Alama airfields.
“Some of them have been paved with asphalt and others are still grass and gravel,” Mimika Transportation, Communications and Information Office head John Rettob told reporters recently at his office in Jayapura.
He said the Agimuga and Kokonao airfields were operated by the Transportation Ministry.
“The other airfields are operated by the Mimika administration office,” Rettob said.
All of the airfields, he added, had begun operating this year, except for the Mulu airfield, built by PT Freeport Indonesia, a gold and copper mining firm. The Mulu field has not been handed over to the regency administration.
“All flights to the seven new airfields, located in mountainous and coastal areas in Mimika, have begun operation as expected.
“Hopefully, they can cater to the people’s air transportation needs,” Rettob said.
The Potowayburu, Agimuga and Kokonao airfields are served by Trigan Air, while the Jita, Jila, Alama and Mulu airfields are served by Susi Air, using eight-seater Pilatus Porter PC6 aircraft, he said.
Rettob said that civil servants from the Mimika regency administration should now have no excuse not to work in the mountainous and coastal areas that were now accessible by air.
Rettob said a number of flights from Timika provided access to the mountainous Pegunungan Tengah region.
“Isolation has been alleviated, thanks to the services from the new aircraft to the entire Pegunungan Tengah region. Three airstrips — Enarotali, Nabire and Moanamami — offer commercial services provided by PT Aviastar,” he added.
Charter flights are also available for the Timika-Sinak, Timika-Wangbe (Puncak regency) and Timika-Modio (Paniai regency) routes.
“Alleviating isolation must carry a strategic meaning to Mimika, especially for infrastructure development because the isolated regions can be reached within 50 minutes on average.
“Distribution of building materials has been made fast and easy now, compared to the route from Jayapura, via Wamena regency,” he said.
Investors are also ready to supply aviation fuel at Moses Kilangin Airport for domestic and pioneer flights using small planes to serve Pegunungan Tengah and coastal areas in Mimika and surrounding regencies.
PT Tunas Maro Indah has obtained a permit from Mimika Regent Klemen Tinal and a recommendation from the Transportation Ministry to supply aviation fuel to civilian flight operators at the airport.
The Mimika administration will support efforts to invest in the region, Rettob said.