Hyundai Motors Responds to Reports of IKN's Flying Taxi Trial in Samarinda

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The head of the airport management unit at APT Pranoto Samarinda Airport, Maeka Rindra Hariyanto, mentioned that Hyundai Motors will hold a trial for flying taxis in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

"Today, we received a visit from flying taxi manufacturer Hyundai Motors that surveyed for a trial at APT Pranoto Samarinda Airport," Maeka said as quoted from Antara on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Responding to the statement, the COO of PT HMID Fransiscus Soerjapranoto admitted that he has not received any information regarding the flying taxi trial. It would be announced later to the public, he added.

"Regarding IKN we will also show how we contribute to the project. For the solution on mobility, flying taxis are indeed one of our long-term plans," Frans said when met in Jakarta on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Frans also said that the flying taxis will be managed under the Hyundai Motors Group, which consists of Hyundai Motors Corporation (HMC), Hyundai Motors ASEAN, and Hyundai Motors Indonesia.

It was previously mentioned that Hyundai Motors will decide whether the trial for flying taxis will proceed in Balikpapan or Samarinda. Hyundai Motors team is currently inspecting potential locations. "This is the initial survey, not to decide the fixed location. [Hyundai Motors] must prepare how to ship the planes to Samarinda," Frans said.

The flying taxi trial will start in three or four months. Maeka said the decision falls on Hyundai Motors.

Hyundai showcased their S-A1 flying taxis at the Mobility Exhibition Center at Transportation Museum Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in Jakarta last November.

This model has a 4-passenger seat configuration with one pilot seat and a spacious luggage space. S-A1 was designed to travel up to 100 kilometers with 290 km/h maximum speed.

DICKY KURNIAWAN

Editor's Choice: IKN Authority Head Talks of Flying Taxis in New Capital City

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News