Take Over Aviation Service Areas In Riau Islands From Singapore, Jokowi: International Relations To Indonesian Airspace

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) (dok. YouTube screenshot of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced that the flight information region (FIR) or flight navigation service area in the skies of Riau and Natuna's popularity is no longer managed by Singapore but Indonesia.

"It has been a long time since our airspace above the Riau Islands and Natuna has been managed by Singapore. Thanks to the hard work of all parties, we have succeeded in restoring the management of the airspace above the Riau Islands and Natuna to the Republic of Indonesia," Jokowi said in a YouTube show broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat, Thursday, September 8.

Jokowi conveyed this provision based on the re-appealment or realization of the FIR between Indonesia and Singapore.

Prior to the realization, domestic flights entering the Riau Islands such as flights from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to Matak, must be in contact with Singapore flight navigation operators.

Then, on international flights, for example from Hong Kong to Jakarta, when crossing the sky area of Indonesia in Natuna waters, Singapore is also managed.

Now, after the realization of the FIR when it enters the airspace of Riau and Natuna Islands, the planes are served by Indonesian airnav.

Jokowi said that the realization of the Indonesian FIR with Singapore was stated in the presidential regulation.

Based on this, Jokowi said, the Jakarta FIR area increased by 249,575 square kilometers.

"This agreement is a step forward on international recognition of Indonesia's airspace, which at the same time increases flight safety and security guarantees and can increase non-tax state revenues and this can be a momentum for modernizing aviation navigation equipment and the development of Indonesian human resources," Jokowi explained.

On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menkomarves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed, this new agreement has an effect that shows that Indonesia is a sovereign country that has been able to manage itself.

"This shows once again that Indonesia is a country that can really manage itself," said Luhut.