Indonesia’s Transportation Minister Optimistic About Benefits from FIR Realignment
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi expressed optimism regarding Indonesia’s potential economic benefits following the takeover of the flight information region (FIR) of Riau Islands and Natuna waters from Singapore.
During his visit to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Friday (April 12), Minister Sumadi highlighted the positive impact of incorporating Riau Islands and Natuna airspace into the Jakarta FIR (Flight Information Region) on Indonesia’s economic landscape.
In an official statement received on Friday, Sumadi emphasized that the FIR realignment agreed upon by Indonesia and Singapore would enable Indonesia to generate revenue from the aviation navigation services provided by the Jakarta FIR.
The Indonesian government is committed to ensuring safe and effective airspace management, prioritizing national interests while adhering to international standards for civil aviation services.
Following the FIR realignment on March 21 this year, air navigation services company AirNav Indonesia has assumed control over the airspace above Riau Islands and Natuna, which now fall under the Jakarta FIR.
Minister Sumadi commended AirNav Indonesia for its implementation of the mandate, particularly acknowledging the contribution of women in the operation room overseeing airspace control.
He highlighted that negotiations between Indonesia and Singapore for FIR realignment had been ongoing since 1995. Previously, aircraft flying from Jakarta to Natuna and from Hong Kong to Jakarta required coordination with Singaporean authorities upon entering the airspace above Riau Islands.
“With the FIR realignment, aircraft on these routes are now directly served by AirNav Indonesia without the need to contact Singaporean authorities,” Minister Sumadi emphasized.
President Director of AirNav Indonesia, Polana B. Pramesti, was present during Minister Sumadi’s visit to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, underscoring the commitment to effective airspace management and cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore in aviation matters.
