JAKARTA, March 25 (Bernama) — Effective immediately, the Indonesian government will take charge of overseeing aviation service charges and managing airspace in the Riau Islands and Natuna regions in a professional and competitive manner, as stated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The realignment of the Flight Information Region (FIR) between Indonesia and Singapore – effective March 21, 2024 – has expanded the Jakarta FIR by 9.5 per cent to 2,842,725 square kilometres.
Director General of Civil Aviation, Maria Kristi Endah Murni, said Indonesia will benefit from increased revenue from flight service charges over the additional FIR area.
“This is part of the FIR Agreement between Indonesia and Singapore. It is expected that the country’s aviation industry will grow over time,” she said in a statement.
The collection of Route Air Navigation Service (RANS) charges in Airspace Sectors A and B, from 0 to 37,000 feet, began on March 21, as agreed by both countries.
For airspace outside the affected sectors due to the FIR realignment, collection is carried out by the air navigation service provider, AirNav Indonesia, according to established regulations.
Indonesia also stationed Civil Military Cooperation in Air Traffic Management (CMAC) personnel at the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC), tasked with monitoring aircraft from Indonesia to Singapore and vice-versa, 24 hours a day.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said aircraft flying in the realigned FIR airspace now receive direct flight services from AirNav Indonesia without contacting Singapore.
Previously, domestic flights such as from Jakarta to Natuna had to contact Singapore’s aviation service when entering the Riau Islands.
Similarly, international flights, like those from Hong Kong to Jakarta, also needed to coordinate with Singapore when passing through Natuna before being managed by AirNav Indonesia, he said.
FIR negotiations between Indonesia and Singapore began in 1995 before an agreement was reached in 2022.
— BERNAMA
