Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING): The Transportation Ministry is preparing 39 locations for the construction of new airports across Indonesia, in a strategic move to strengthen national connectivity and spur equitable regional economic growth.
The expansion plan will boost Indonesia’s total planned aviation network to 296 hubs, building upon the 257 operational airports currently scattered across the archipelago.
“This network reflects the government’s commitment to providing equitable connectivity to the frontier, outermost and less developed regions,” the ministry’s Director General of Civil Aviation stated during the 2026 National Conference of the Indonesian Airport Experts Association (IABI) in Jakarta on Tuesday (June 30).
Lukman explained that developing aviation infrastructure in the world’s largest archipelagic nation presents complex geographical challenges, requiring engineers to build on swamps, peatlands, rugged mountains and tiny isolated islands.
Related news: Indonesia plans to reopen commercial flights at two air bases
While engineering innovations have successfully overcome these terrains in the past, he emphasized that future developments must pivot toward long-term sustainability.
Modern airport projects will prioritize safety, advanced technology utilization and resilience against climate change, he emphasized.
To support this infrastructure transformation, the ministry is urging professional organizations like IABI to step up human resource competencies, particularly in adapting to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
Lukman expressed hope that Indonesian experts will soon secure internationally recognized professional certifications to compete in global aviation projects.
At the same time, Chairman of the Indonesian Aviation Service Users Association (APJAPI) Alvin Lie welcomed the collaboration, noting that bringing industry experts together is vital for generating concrete solutions to the dynamic challenges currently facing the national aviation ecosystem.
