Balikpapan - Balikpapan Sepinggan Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport - the new name service of Balikpapan Sepinggan Airport- was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today, Monday (09/15/2014). This event was attended, among others; Minister for Economic Affairs Chairul Tanjung, East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak, Balikpapan Mayor Rizal Effendi, and President Director of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Tommy Soetomo.
"The new airport of Balikpapan Sepinggan Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman has actually been in operation since March 22, 2014 last. Prior to development, the airport is the pride of the people of East Kalimantan has experienced over capacity. With a capacity of only 1.7 million passengers per year, the airport was serving 7 , 1 million passengers in 2013, grew 16% compared to the year 2012, amounting to 6.4 million passengers, "said Tommy Soetomo.
The new terminal has concept of eco-modern airport will be able to accommodate 15 million passengers per year. In addition, the terminal is equipped with 11 trunk alleys, 76 pieces of check-in counters, and 8 unit conveyors. The main thing is the application of Airport Operation Database (AODB) and the technology of a sophisticated level 4 hold baggage screening (HBS). It also provided a four-story parking deck that can accommodate up to 2,300 vehicles.
"When we walked into the terminal, there is the use of living plants to be used as a park in various corners of the room. Implementation of energy management is also carried out with the use of sunlight for lighting. Moreover, the concept of eco-building is also applied with the use of LED (Light Emitting Diode) as well as recycling water, "said Tommy Soetomo.
With terminal area reaches of 110,000 m2, the commercial area of 33,000 m2, and the apron area of 140 900 m2, making this airport as a gateway to the largest and grandest air in eastern Indonesia. "In addition, the airport is also the first airport in Indonesia which has a boutique mall. Visitors are allowed entry into the terminal building including the area of check-in counters. This will create a unique experience at the airport for the visitors, as well as our efforts in improve the level of service to users of airport services, "said Tommy.
In addition to formalizing the airport, the President also inaugurated several projects; Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Development (MP3EI) in East Kalimantan, including Project Sisi-Nubi 2B (WPN 3 and WPS 2) Total E & P Indonesia in cooperation with Inpex and Pertamina Hulu Energy Central East Kalimantan, Biogas Power Plant Kaltim Prima Mitrajaya Mandiri, Cakra Biogas Power Plant REA Kaltim Plantations, and groundbreaking Kalimantan Institute of Technology Campus . [Pardika Dewi RS / Arif Haryanto]
