Indonesian Aviation Industry Developing Nicely: Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Industry Minister Airlangga Hartanto said Indonesia’s aviation industry continues to develop and grow significantly, citing increasing air traffic of both passenger and cargo.

“The growth of domestic passengers has increased at an average of 15 percent per annum in the past ten years. Whereas the number of international passenger has risen by around 8 percent. In addition, Indonesia is the world’s third largest country in Asia in terms of aircraft purchase behind China and India,” Airlangga said in a press release on Wednesday.

Airlangga said that Indonesia also has the infrastructure to develop aviation industry. The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) are developing N219 aircraft, which will be followed by the development of N245 and N270 aircrafts.

“PT DI has manufactured propeller-driven aircrafts and choppers in cooperation with Bell Helicopter and Eurocopter,” Airlangga said. Private aircraft company PT Region Aviasi Industri is also working on R80 aircraft with a capacity of 80 passengers, initiated by former Indonesian president B.J. Habibie.

Director General of Metal, Machinery, Mode of Transport and Electronics Industries, the Industry Ministry, I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan said the ministry continues to push for aviation industry economic self-reliance. The Industry Ministry has initiated the establishment of Indonesia Aircraft and Component Manufacturer Association (INACOM).

On the other hand, according to Putu, Indonesia’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry has considerable potential, reaching US$1 billion as of 2014. The figure is expected to rise to US$2 billion by 2019.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI