A Roster of Female Pilots for President Prabowo’s Presidential Aircraft

President Prabowo Subianto is currently on a foreign trip to Paris, France. Since assuming office on 20 October 2024, Prabowo has been active in foreign travel, conducting diplomacy with other nations. In addition to foreign trips, Prabowo frequently visits regions within Indonesia. His most recent visit was to Miangas Island, the northernmost island of Indonesia in North Sulawesi, on 9 May. Who are the pilots flying the presidential aircraft for his domestic and international trips? Presidential special assistant Dirgayuza Setiawan revealed several pilots operating the presidential aircraft, some of whom are women. First, Garuda Indonesia pilots operating the Boeing 777, which flies the President to distant foreign destinations. One such pilot is Captain Tania Citra, aged 31. Yuza stated that Tania is the first female Garuda Indonesia pilot to fly a sitting President. He noted that two years ago, at age 29, Tania became the world’s youngest female Boeing 777 pilot. In addition to presidential and commercial flights, she is now the world’s youngest female Boeing 777 instructor. Next, the pilots of Air Squadron 17 operating the Boeing 737, which transports Prabowo domestically and to nearby foreign destinations. Captain Ajeng Mahessa, aged 30, is one of them. ‘She is now the world’s youngest presidential 737 pilot and was a National Flag Bearer in 2011,’ Yuza stated. Additionally, Air Squadron 2 pilots operating the CN aircraft, which fly the President to smaller cities and islands, and participate in humanitarian missions to areas with short runways. One of them is Captain Yustikasari Diana Putri, known as Tika. At 27, she is a graduate of Taruna Nusantara High School, Class of 24. Furthermore, Air Squadron 31 pilots operating the C-130 Hercules, which transport the President’s equipment and form the backbone of logistics for Sumatra rehabilitation operations. Yuza mentioned Captain Gini Setya Rahayu as one of them. At 24, she is a graduate of Taruna Nusantara High School, Class 27.