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Indonesia Is Preparing To Increase The Number Of Aircraft

Indonesia is open to collaborating with Boeing regarding the increase in the number of aircraft for state-owned airlines such as Garuda Indonesia. Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir has indicated that the current fleet of aircraft in Indonesia is quite limited.

According to Erick, Indonesia requires a total of 700 aircraft to expand its aviation industry operations. However, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of aircraft in Indonesia has dwindled to just 390 units.

Erick stated that potential solutions to augment the fleet include establishing partnerships with global aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Russian manufacturers, or COMAC from China.

"Therefore, these solutions necessitate collaboration, whether with Airbus, Boeing, COMAC from China, or aircraft from Russia, which are all aircraft manufacturers with whom we must engage," Erick remarked in Jakarta, as quoted on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Erick expressed his concern that, without action, Indonesia could remain constrained by the same number of aircraft for the next decade.

"This poses a significant risk, especially since we are an archipelagic nation," Erick noted.

He further mentioned that the Indonesian government will engage directly with the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) and aircraft lessors regarding the procurement of Boeing aircraft. To advance this initiative, Erick plans to involve the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM to facilitate the collaboration with Boeing.

Tag: Airbus Aircraft Erick Thohir