Indonesia needs “masterplan” for aviation

Indonesia needs to develop an “aviation masterplan” that addresses issues of safety and capacity, according to IATA.

Speaking at an event in Jakarta, IATA’s director-general & CEO, Tony Tyler, noted the significant growth being experienced by Indonesia’s aviation sector, and called on the country’s government to develop a new strategy for the industry “based on global standards”.

“Indonesia’s aviation potential is huge. By 2034 it is expected to be the sixth largest market for air travel. By then some 270 million passengers are expected to fly to, from and within the country. That’s three times the size of today’s market,” Tyler told delegates at the IATA Aviation Day in Indonesia’s capital.

“Indonesia needs an aviation masterplan based on global standards and developed in partnership by aviation stakeholders including the government. Such a plan should set a common vision for addressing top priorities such as safety, capacity and regulation. And of course it must be followed by real actions,” he added.

Tyler said that safety is “the biggest concern” for Indonesia’s aviation sector, with the country having experienced at least one hull loss every year since 2010 and the EU continuing to ban the majority of Indonesian carriers from its skies.

“Turning around a safety record is not easy. The best laid plans need to be followed-up with concrete actions. Where this has been done – in Latin America, China, and Nigeria for example – we have seen significant and sustainable improvements,” said Tyler.

On the issue of capacity, the director-general commended the Indonesian government for its plans to build another 62 airports over the next five years, and expand Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. It warned however, that Jakarta’s capacity shortage “is nowhere near being solved, even with the terminal upgrades”.

Finally, Tyler urged the Indonesian government to remove “counter-productive” regulations on airlines.