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solated regions and border areas in East Kalimantan are expected to be easily accessible following the launch of a premiere flight by the local Kaltim Airlines.

East Kalimantan Governor Awang Ishak expressed confidence that local residents would be proud of the opening of the isolated border areas.

“I am optimistic that Kaltim Airlines will become a good airline serving routes to deep terrain. People in the regencies and mayoralties will be proud that they will be served by daily flights. Flight services, especially in remote areas of the province, have so far not been optimal because pioneer routes have not yet been realized,” said Awang.

He added the presence of the airline would likely spur economic growth in the region given the positive impacts from the flight services, such as from the smooth transportation of goods and people.

The presence of Kaltim Airlines is also expected to motivate regents and mayors to improve the quality and capacity of their airports. If they wish to use the services of the airline, they must extend their runways.

The State-Owned Enterprises Ministry will provide assistance to Kaltim Airlines in purchasing three new aircraft from state-run aviation firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

“We are making sure its maiden flight will coincide with the 66th Independence Day on Aug. 17, after which it would continue to serve the Balikpapan, Berau, Tarakan, Nunukan, Malinau and Samarinda routes,” said Awang.

East Kalimantan has so far faced difficulties in meeting the transportation needs of people in a number of remote and border areas.

Kaltim Airlines needs an initial investment of US$6 million to purchase five units of new aircraft by using the lease for purchase system during a period of between five and 10 years.

Awang said Kaltim Airlines would develop four concepts in stages by serving inter-provincial routes, especially pioneer routes, later followed by inter-provincial routes within Kalimantan and other inter-provincial Indonesian regional flight paths, such as the Berau-Kuala Lumpur route.

According to Awang, the inter-Kalimantan provincial flight services would be prioritized, as they will be adapted to the condition of runways and the number of passengers, so the choice of aircraft will be the deciding factor on whether or not the airline would succeed.

The conditions of airport runways in East Kalimantan varies.

Balikpapan, for instance has a 2,500-meter long runway, Tarakan and Berau has 2,250 meters, Malinau, 1,400 meters, Nunukan, Bontang, Sanggata, Bulungan, Long Apung and Data Dawai 1,100 meters and Long Bawan, 1,200 meters.