Papua has become the center of rapid infrastructure development during the government of President Joko Widodo. Public facilities such as hospitals, schools, housings, irrigation systems, and many more have been improved. Among many facilities that are being built and developed, airports are also on the main list. The Ministry of Transportation stated that Papua’s transportation infrastructure is important because Papua province and West Papua still have many areas or regions with difficulty to reach due to the minimum facilities and the natural condition.
We all know that Papua is surrounded by many mountain regions so, people and goods’ distribution is still an issue. That is why airports infrastructures are important. Among many new and upgraded airports in Papua province, let’s get to know closer four big airports in West Papua.
Rendani Manokwari Airport
Rendani Manokwari airport is located three kilometers from the downtown of Manokwari, the capital city of West Papua province. Back in June 2017, Sriwijaya Airplane was having a skidding incident when it landed at Rendani Manokwari airport. The incident draws the attention of Commission V DPR to directly investigate how the accident occurred so hopefully, the same incident won’t happen.
Following the unfortunate event, the Head of the West Papua Transportation Service and the Governor of West Papua planned land acquisition for a runway addition covering an area of 2,250-2,500 meters. With a longer runway, Rendani Manokwari becomes the decent capital city’s airport for the provincial level. Besides adding the runway length, a box cover is also added.
Waisai Raja Ampat Airport
The second four big airports in West Papua is Waisai Raja Ampat Airport. This airfield is also called Marinda airport. This airfield is located in the Wasai district, Raja Ampat region. Thanks to the tourists’ big interest in Raja Ampat, the government prioritizes the infrastructure development of this Airport. With this Airport, more access to tourism spots in the Wasai district can be more reachable.
In addition, the central government will turn Waisai Raja Ampat Airport to become an international airport through the Ministry of Transportation. The government of Raja Ampat district had already handed over the asset of this airport to the central government as state assets in 2016 and 2017.
Wasior Baru Airport
Wasior Baru Airport is located in Wasior. This year, the runway for this airport is extended into 1969 feet × 59 feet. With the presence of this new airport, access to Wondama bay is getting easier. The positive outcome of Wasior Baru Airport is not only enjoyed by locals but also domestic and international tourists who are interested in visiting Wondama bay.
With the rise of tourism in this region, the economic welfare will improve as well. The presence of this airport has been accommodated in the national medium-term development plan (RPJMN) for 2020-2024.
Siboru Fak-fak Airport
In mid-2020, Fak-fak’s Head of Public Works Samau Dahlan started the development work of Siboru Fak-fak airport. According to Dahlan, the infrastructure has already been on the early schedule. The Fak-fak regency government granted 700,000 m2 of land located in Siboru Village, Wartutin District, Fakfak Regency. This land will be used for the new airport.
The length of Siboru Fak-fak Airport is planned to be 3,000/3 km. So, in the future, this airport hopefully can be a national standardized airport.
Besides the four big airports in West Papua above, there are also other airports in this province. The other airports are Domine Eduard Osok airport in Sorong, Ayawasi airport in Ayawasi, Stenkol airport in West Bintuni, Babo airport, and Kaimana airport. With these new airports surely the economy will be lifted.
