The Head of the IKN Authority (OIKN), Basuki Hadimuljono, has set a target for the IKN Airport to become operational by mid-March 2025.
The airport, boasting a 3,000-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway, is designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Presidential Aircraft Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) 737-800.
“Hopefully, the airport will be ready to operate by mid-March. All wide-body jets will be able to land at IKN Airport,” said Basuki during a working meeting with Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (12/2/2025), as quoted by detik.com.
In addition to the airport, the government is expediting the construction of a toll road connecting Balikpapan to the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) of IKN. Once fully completed, the toll road is expected to reduce travel time to just 40 minutes.
For context, the completion target for the IKN Airport’s 3,000-meter runway has been delayed multiple times. Initially planned for December 2024, the deadline was later postponed to February 2025 and then to April 2025.
IKN Authority (OIKN) to Fully Relocate to IKN by March 2025
The OIKN is also targeting full operational relocation to IKN in East Kalimantan by March 2025. According to Troy Pantouw, spokesperson and Special Staff to the Head of OIKN for Public Communication, all OIKN employees will be based at the newly constructed OIKN Building within the KIPP area.
“All activities of the OIKN will be fully conducted in IKN, and all employees will start working from the IKN Authority Building in KIPP beginning in March 2025,” Troy stated in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/2/2025), as reported by antaranews.com.
The central OIKN office in IKN will officially begin operations in March, while its Jakarta office at Menara Mandiri will serve as a representative office. Some staff members will rotate between the two locations for specific tasks.
OIKN employees come from diverse backgrounds, including government ministries/agencies, local governments, and the private sector. This means staff recruitment and transfers are unavoidable, as they comply with regulations set by the State Civil Service Agency (BKN) and the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform.
Public and Investor Confidence in IKN
Deputy Chair of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR), Zulfikar Arse Sadikin from the Golkar Party, stated that the full operation of OIKN and the establishment of institutions in IKN will instill confidence in the public and investors regarding the development and future of IKN.
“The full operation of OIKN in IKN will accelerate the development of IKN according to the set targets,” said Zulfikar, as reported by kompas.com.
He emphasized that relocating the capital city is a collective decision and commitment. Therefore, the DPR urges OIKN, as one of the key players in this initiative, to work responsibly, transparently, inclusively, and sustainably.
Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Head Hasan Nasbi assured that the development of IKN would continue under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership. While budget efficiency measures are planned for 2025, Hasan clarified that they would not affect the government’s commitment to the IKN project.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, previously stated that a budget of USD 2.9 billion has been allocated for IKN’s development over the next five years. This budget will cover the construction of the central government area, judicial buildings, and legislative facilities.
Source: detik.com, kompas.com, antaranews.com
Special Photo Credit: Hutama Karya Doc. via iknpos.id
