Jakarta. Airspace management in the Riau Islands (Kepri) and Natuna regions has now been officially handed over entirely to Indonesia from Singapore.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi stated that this provision took effect on March 22 at 03:00 a.m. Jakarta time.

"By completing the renegotiation agreement on airspace management between Singapore and Indonesia, airspace in these regions is now fully controlled by Indonesia," Budi Karya Sumadi said in his official statement, as quoted on Monday.

With this agreement, the flight information region (FIR) of Jakarta has expanded by 249,575 square kilometers to 2,842,725 square kilometers. Consequently, aircraft flying in this area will receive flight navigation services from Indonesia.

Previously, flights to the Riau Islands and Natuna, both domestic and international, had to coordinate with Singapore's air navigation. However, with the FIR realignment, aircraft no longer need to make contact with Singapore.

Negotiations regarding the FIR with Singapore have been ongoing since 1995 and finally reached an agreement in 2022. Budi Karya Sumadi hopes that cooperation between the two countries in enhancing flight safety and efficiency services can continue.

The government is also committed to ensuring the management of Indonesian airspace proceeds smoothly, in line with national interests and international standards. This transfer is expected to have positive impacts, including increased state revenue.

Operational adjustments to flight navigation were made after the signing of the agreement between Indonesia and Singapore in January 2022, which was then ratified by presidential regulation in the same year. 

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