N219 Airplane Will Strengthen Investment in Aceh

Bandung - Acting Governor of Aceh, Nova Iriansyah, believes the existence of the N219 aircraft can have a positive effect on the world of investment, including tourism and increasing the human resources of Aceh's children in the future. That is because access to a number of tourist sites in Aceh so far is still constrained by transportation.

That explanation was conveyed by Nova on the sidelines of the process of signing a cooperation agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the procurement of N219 aircraft with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) in the Plenary Meeting Room, Management Center Building of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Bandung, Monday (9/12) . The MoU also includes the development of human resources and the operation of Aceh's air transport.

"Aceh is currently boosting investment and developing the tourism sector which of course requires smooth transportation," Nova said in front of the President Director of PT. Dirgantara Indonesia, Elfien Goentoro and other PT Dirgantara Indonesia officials.

It was explained, the procurement of aircraft to support connectivity between regions in Aceh was very necessary considering the pioneering flights in Aceh that were still running only at 5 airports. Even then, with a limited frequency, between 1 to 2 flights per week. While other flights more often make Kuala Namu Airport in North Sumatra as the link. While 7 airports in the Regency / city in a state of no activity.

Nova hoped that at least until 2022 the Aceh Government could obtain 4 N219 aircraft that were ideal for pioneering inter-island air transportation in Indonesia.

"Furthermore, of course we expect the support and assistance of PT. IN for transfer of knowledge in order to improve the human resources of the Aceh aerospace sector, "Nova said.

Furthermore, Nova explained that the reason for the Aceh Government's need for the aircraft was to connect the Aceh territories with its vast area, which reached 59 thousand Km2 for land area and 295 thousand Km2 for sea area.

The length of the coastline also reaches more than 2,600 km, with a total of around 180 islands. Of all the islands, 44 of them inhabited.

"With such a vast territory, relations between regions are often constrained. For example, the distance between Banda Aceh City and Singkil Regency is 760 Km. If using land transportation, it takes 15 hours to cover that distance, "said Nova.

Likewise, the relationship between Banda Aceh City and Simeulue Island took 7 hours by land before heading to South Aceh, then crossing the sea by ferry for 8 hours. While the journey from the city of Banda Aceh to the Central and Southeast Aceh region is no less strenuous.

Meanwhile the President Director of PT. Dirgantara Indonesia, Elfien Goentoro, in his explanation to Nova Iriansyah said, N219 was developed to meet the needs of national air transportation in pioneer areas that could be used for various needs, such as passenger transportation, freight transportation and air ambulances.

He explained, N219 had conducted its first test flight on August 16, 2017. Currently the aircraft is still undergoing a series of certification testing. The certification process is an important process to guarantee security and safety because it will be used by customers and the general public.

Elfien stated that PTDI was committed to completing the certification process in order to obtain a Type Certificate from the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operation (DKPPU), the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Hopefully the N219 aircraft can immediately serve the people of Aceh and encourage and increase accessibility and economic growth in the Aceh Province," Elfien said.

In signing the MoU, the Acting Governor was accompanied by the Head of the Aceh Transportation Agency, Junaidi, the Head of the Aceh Financial Management Agency, Bustami, the Head of the Aceh Secretariat of Public Relations and Protocol, Muhammad Iswanto, Special Staff of Governor Thamrin Ananda, and a number of other guests.