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TransNusa Trial Flight to Douw Aturure Nabire Airport Succeeds
WINDONESIA August 21, 2024
Central Papua officials, other invitees, and the TransNusa crew for its trial flight to Douw Aturure Nabire Airport in front of the Comac ARJ21-700 owned by TransNusa. (RRI/Faisal Nompo)
The Central Papua Provincial Government received the arrival of the first TransNusa aircraft to land at Douw Aturure Nabire Airport in Nabire Regency, Central Papua on Aug. 17, 2024. This is a historic moment for the people of Central Papua amid the 79th anniversary of Indonesian independence.
Central Papua Acting Governor Ribka Haluk received the aircraft's arrival alongside other Central Papua officials, such as Nabire Regent Mesak Magai, the Nabire Police Department Chief, the Nabire Naval Base Commander, as well as other invitees.
After landing, the TransNusa aircraft entered the area that had been prepared for the pick-up and greeted with a traditional dance. Its crew then received the Papuan traditional crown and a traditional ritual was performed by setting foot on a traditional plate.
Ribka was moved to tears when the plane was seen entering the Douw Aturure Nabire Airport runway. Shee said it was an expression of happiness and joy over what the Central Papuan people longed for coming true.
"The Central Papua Provincial Government gave a special gift to the people of Central Papua together with the TransNusa crew today with the successful first landing trial. Hopefully, it can improve the welfare of Central Papua, and [Central Papua's people could eventually] enjoy the services of existing airlines other than TransNusa," she stated.
Ribka added that she initially thought that it would not be possible to bring in other airlines, but today the people have seen the reality that TransNusa can land at Douw Aturure Airport in Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province.
"TransNusa successfully entered Central Papua Province after meeting a few months ago. We continued to try [to hold a trial landing] with the TransNusa team until it could be realized today. That's what made tears come to my eyes, because this happy event can successfully realize the dreams of Central Papua's people," she explained.
Meanwhile, Captain Deny Heryadi, the pilot for the TransNusa trial flight to Douw Aturure Nabire Airport, admitted that his flight to Nabire made him nostalgic. The reason is that he often flew to Nabire when he was still working for another airline back in 1995.
"Nabire is like my home. I used to fly to this area often. However, when I was no longer flying planes to this area, I promised to advance this area. It turned out that my prayers were answered," he revealed.
Captain Deny also gave an assessment of the runway owned by Douw Atarure Nabire Airport, which he considered very good and suitable for landing an aircraft like the Comac ARJ21-700.
"Of course, we prepared with a simulator before we flew. Then, we assume from the results that we can land. However, it turned out we could land more smoothly compared to the simulation during the trial," he explained.
Meanwhile, Captain Wu Gopang, his co-pilot who hailed from China, admitted that he was pleased with the welcome given by the local government to him. He was also amazed by the welcoming culture given to the entire TransNusa crew.
In the future, this aircraft will serve the Sorong-Nabire-Jayapura, Nabire-Mimika, Nabire-Biak and Nabire-Manokwari flights. In the long term, more flight routes will be opened for Nabire-Highland Papua and Nabire-South Papua.
Source: www.rri.co.id
