Indonesia Gains Control of Natuna's Airspace from Singapore, Says Minister Luhut

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had approved the proposal for flight information region (FIR) takeover from Singapore to Indonesia.

"Singapore used to have control over the air space above the Riau and Natuna Islands at an altitude of 0-37 thousand feet," the minister remarked on Saturday, March 23.

Luhut spoke of having received this report while undergoing health recovery in Singapore on January 11, 2024.

Furthermore, 60 days after the publication of information regarding these changes, the Indonesian airspace, which had earlier been designated as a Singapore FIR, completely returned as an Indonesian FIR.

With the official implementation of the transfer of the Singapore FIR to the Indonesian FIR, Luhut stated that the government's policy regarding aviation services will make Indonesia's air space safer, more competitive, and attractive for the civil aviation industry.

"We hope that the management of Indonesian air space that is safe, effective, in line with national interests, and meets international civil aviation service standards can be achieved," he said.

Apart from the FIR agreement, Luhut noted that the defense cooperation and fugitive extradition agreement between Indonesia and Singapore were also implemented.

"This is important, considering that those issues are bilateral issues that have not been resolved between the two countries for a long time."

The Minister stated that the diplomatic approach of Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long facilitated the establishment of the agreement.

However, Luhut reminded that the agreement should not put aside national interests.

Based on President Jokowi's directions, Minister Luhut had also partaken in establishing sound communication with Singapore Senior Minister Teo Che Hean.

"All steps were taken to prioritize strengthening bilateral relations and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries," he emphasized.

Antara

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