Nabire – The Central Papua Provincial Government’s policy to subsidize flights to remote areas has received appreciation from the Chairman of the Central Papua Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Alexsander Gobai.

Alex said the policy would not only help people access more affordable transportation, but would also serve as an important step toward opening up isolated areas and accelerating equitable development across Central Papua.

According to him, Central Papua’s geographical conditions, with some areas difficult to reach by land, make air transportation strategically important. The availability of subsidized flights is expected to improve access to healthcare, education, basic necessities, government services, and economic activities.

“We appreciate the Central Papua Provincial Government’s efforts to improve connectivity for people in remote areas. This is not merely about flights, but about ensuring that people in remote villages can feel the presence of the government,” Alex said in Nabire on Monday (August 17, 2026).

Alex emphasized that flight subsidies should be viewed as part of the government’s investment in strengthening connectivity and driving local economic activity.

With improved transportation access, agricultural, plantation, livestock, and other local products from remote areas can be transported more easily to major trading centers.

“When transportation runs smoothly, the local economy also moves forward. People’s products can reach the market, essential goods can be brought in, and business players have greater opportunities to grow,” he said.

He expressed hope that the program would be designed to be well-targeted, transparent, and sustainable so that its benefits could be fully enjoyed by communities in remote areas and regions that have long faced limited transportation access.

At the same time, the Central Papua Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for joint oversight of the flight subsidy program. The government, airline operators, the Papua Regional House of Representatives (DPRP), district governments, and communities should work together to ensure that the program is implemented in line with its objectives.

Alex warned that the subsidy must not become an opportunity for certain parties to profit at the expense of the public.

“This program uses government funds and is intended to serve the public interest. Therefore, its implementation must be transparent and properly targeted,” he stressed.

He also expressed hope that the flight subsidy would not remain merely a short-term program, but could become part of the Central Papua Provincial Government’s broader strategy to strengthen connectivity between regions.

For the Central Papua Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the development of roads and bridges remains important. However, in areas with challenging geographical conditions, air transportation is an essential component of public services and economic development.

Alex Gobai said that when people in remote areas have better access to transportation, the distance between government centers and communities will no longer be a major obstacle to development.

“Development must be felt all the way to the villages. People in remote areas must not merely become spectators to development. They must be part of Central Papua’s economic growth,” he concluded.