Military, Civil Aviations to Use Southern Java Airspace

Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan talks with Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung before delivering results of a limited meeting on Wednesday (13/7), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta

The Government will use airspace in the southern part of Java considering the airspace on northern Java is very busy and is now one of the five busiest airspaces in the world, particularly Jakarta-Surabaya flight route.

The statement was made by Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan in a press statement after a limited meeting on Wednesday (13/7), at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta.

“The status of airspace in the southern island of Java is restricted, not restricted for aviation but the area is used only for non-civilian or only for military aviation. Now, it will also be used by civil flights,” Jonan said.

The Government hopes Indonesian National Air Forces (TNI-AU) may take turn using the airspace with the civil aviation.

If it can be implemented, flight duration to Yogyakarta, Solo, Banyuwangi, or Denpasar can be cut by 10 minutes and it can also save 15 percent of fuel.

“The fuel and airfares are expected to be lower by 10 percent. The use of southern airspace can also reduce the density of the airspace in northern Java,” Jonan added.

Jonan believes the southern airspace can increase flight frequency, for example flights bound to Yogyakarta, Solo, and other airports in the southern areas such as Ngurah Rai Airport.

However, Jonan admitted that it is not easy to increase flight frequency from airports in Jakarta or western areas due to limited slots during peak hours.

For the record, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has instructed his administration to seek potentials to develop new airports in southern East Java, particularly the areas on the border with Central Java, such as Trenggalek, Blitar, Pacitan, Kediri, and Ponorogo.

“I think it is really important. It is not about opening isolated areas because the areas are not isolated, but increasing economic competitiveness in the areas. We will study the location first without disrupting the service of Iswahyudi Air Force Base in Madiun,” Jonan stated. (DND/JAY/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)