17 December 2025
Timika, December 17, 2025 – Thousands of employees and families of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) are utilizing special aircraft and boat facilities through the Christmas Flight & Boat program to return to their hometowns in the highlands and coastal regions of Papua during the Christmas and New Year 2026 holiday period.
Since Thursday morning, December 11, Moses Kilangin Airport in Timika has been bustling with passengers for PTFI's inaugural Christmas flight. One of the passengers was Persekila Kayame, daughter of Simon Kayame, a PTFI employee, who was waiting in the airport departure lounge to return to Paniai Regency. Together with her mother, grandmother, and two younger siblings, Persekila will celebrate Christmas and New Year in her hometown of Enarotali.
"Thank God, this holiday season Father received flight tickets from PTFI for our whole family to travel from Timika to Enarotali. There, my older sibling is already waiting for us to celebrate Christmas and New Year together," said Persekila.
Vice President of Papuan Affairs Department at PTFI, Soleman Faluk, explained that this program represents the company's commitment to providing safe and comfortable transportation for employees, especially during extended holidays.
"The high mobility of employees and their families during the Christmas and New Year holidays, particularly those using pioneer air transport and ships to remote Papua, has been a special concern for PTFI," said Soleman.
Through the Christmas Flight and Boat program, PTFI provides special flights using aircraft and helicopters to reach remote areas in the Papua highlands. Meanwhile, for employees heading to destinations around the Mimika coast, the company has prepared boats ready to transport them.
"During the period from December 11 to 23, special aircraft serve routes to several hard-to-reach areas such as Enarotali, Wagethe, Duma, Moanemani, and Tsinga. Meanwhile, boats will transport employees and families to Agimuga and Potowaiburu docks. Return pickup to work areas is scheduled for January 6 to 20, 2026," said Soleman.
Papua's challenging geographical conditions and limited land infrastructure make travel to highland and coastal areas difficult. These regions are the hometowns of PTFI employees who come from two main ethnic groups, the Amungme and Kamoro tribes, as well as five related tribes: Dani, Nduga, Damal, Moni, and Mee/Ekari.
Martha Wauturu, one of the PTFI employees participating in the Christmas Boat program, expressed her gratitude. For 19 years, she has had the opportunity to return to her village in Potowaiburu, located in Far West Mimika District, directly bordering Kaimana Regency.
"With the Christmas boat from PTFI, I can celebrate Christmas with my family in the village. I am very grateful because even though the company is facing difficult times, attention to employees continues to be given," said Martha.
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The inaugural Christmas flight transporting 12 employees and families from Moses Kilangin Airport, Timika, to Enarotali Airport in Paniai and Wagethe Airport in Deiyai (12/11) |
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Persekila Kayame (far right), daughter of Simon Kayame, a PTFI employee, and her sibling (far left) receiving Christmas gifts at Moses Kilangin Airport, Timika, before departing for Enarotali (12/11) |
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Awigai Keiya, son of Philipus Keiya, a PTFI employee, aboard the Twin Otter aircraft heading to Enarotali Airport in Paniai Regency (12/11) |
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Employees and families arriving at Enarotali Airport in Paniai Regency, unloading baggage from the Twin Otter aircraft (12/11) |
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Employees and families refueling the boat at Portsite for their journey to Potowaiburu Dock (12/10) |
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About PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is a mineral mining company affiliated with Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID). PTFI mines and processes ore to produce copper minerals containing gold and silver.
PTFI markets concentrate worldwide, particularly to domestic copper smelters, PT Smelting. PTFI's mining operations are located in the Grasberg mineral district, Papua - Indonesia. PTFI currently operates the world's largest underground mine using the block caving method. In carrying out its operational activities, PTFI prioritizes responsible business practices.
Kami menghimbau para pencari kerja untuk berhati-hati dan mewaspadai beragam modus penipuan perekrutan yang mengatasnamakan PT Freeport Indonesia. Dalam setiap proses rekrutmen dan penerimaan karyawan, PT Freeport Indonesia maupun konsultan rekruitmennya tidak memungut biaya apapun.
Untuk melihat lowongan, silakan akses melalui link berikut: ptfi e-recruitment
Untuk melihat informasi magang, silakan akses melalui link berikut: Internship Program
