Indonesia’s futuristic dream for a new capital, Nusantara, has moved one step closer to reality thanks to the successful test flight of a flying car prototype.
The prototype successfully completed a 10-minute test flight on July 30, performing a figure-eight maneuver at a speed of 50 km per hour and an altitude of 50 meters at Samarinda Airport, about 100 kilometers from Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital city that is still under construction.
“Indonesia’s unique geography and rapid urbanization make it an ideal testing ground for urban air mobility solutions,” said Cheol-ung Kim, an executive responsible for Hyundai Motor Group’s urban air mobility business development. “We are committed to working with the Indonesian government and industry to make this vision a reality.”
The flying taxis, equipped with distributed electric propulsion and multiple rotors, can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for long runways, officials said. They are also designed to be quieter than helicopters, reducing noise pollution in urban areas.
Although the technology is still in its infancy, the Indonesian government is optimistic about its potential to transform transportation in the archipelago.
Nusantara, located on the island of Borneo, is being designed as a smart and sustainable city, and flying taxis are seen as a key part of that vision.
Muhammad Ali Berawi, deputy in charge of green and digital transformation at the Nusantara Capital City Authority, called the test an important milestone.
“Nusantara is designed as a living laboratory for innovation and this successful test flight is a testament to our commitment to advanced technologies such as urban air mobility,” he said.
Outgoing President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, unveiled plans to establish a new capital in 2019. Now that he is nearing the end of his presidency in October after a decade in power, moving the capital to Nusantara is his most significant initiative.
However, critics have raised concerns about the accelerated planning for the development of the new site, suggesting it is more about cementing Jokowi’s political legacy than practical urban planning.
Nusantara, expected to be completed in 2045, is designed as a sprawling metropolis with approximately 1.9 million residents spread over 260,000 hectares.
According to his aides, Jokowi wants to spend more and more time in the new capital, which is why authorities are working hard to ensure that essential infrastructure is in order.
Also, this year, the Independence Day ceremony was held in Nusantara in mid-August, contrary to tradition, at the same time as the festivities in Jakarta, marking a new chapter in the country’s history.
Jokowi led a flag-raising ceremony, together with President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who will take office in October.
Jokowi said he had a restless first night at the presidential palace in Nusantara.
“I honestly didn’t sleep well,” he told reporters, attributing the discomfort to the novelty of the situation.
Despite this, he said he was prepared for the busy days ahead.
“Today, for the first time, I am receiving officials for meetings here, in the president’s office.”
As he spoke to other officials, they saw thousands of workers working tirelessly to complete essential infrastructure in the new city, including hospitals, the airport, government housing and schools.
“I don’t want to disrupt their work,” he said.
Jokowi said essential services such as water, electricity and internet connections were working well.
“This is a big job. It could take 10, 15, 20 years. This is not a job that takes one or two years,” he said
He also praised Nusantara’s unique topography, which is a stark contrast to Jakarta’s flat landscape.
But not everyone is happy with the new capital project.
Alpian, a resident of Pemaluan village, is one of many people struggling with the impact of the Nusantara capital project, whose ancestral land has been confiscated without compensation for road construction.
“The land was passed down to me from my parents,” Alpian said. “I’m not the only one who is affected, there are others who have lost their land.”
He said that payment promises have not been fulfilled, leaving him in uncertainty.
“They said this land would be paid, this land is still pending, but it’s been a year, the process is taking a very long time, right?” said Alpian, who expressed frustration at the lack of transparency and slow processing.
He also raised concerns about the government’s handling of the project, accusing it of putting industrial interests ahead of the rights of local residents.
“It’s like we’re being colonized,” he said.
