AirNav Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Indonesia’s Air Navigation Services

Tangerang, CNBC Indonesia — On World Air Traffic Controller Day on Tuesday (20 October 2026), AirNav Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national air navigation services. The commitment is being put into effect through the modernisation of systems at four service centres, upgrades to operational facilities and the development of staff competencies.

AirNav Indonesia President Director Capt. Avirianto Suratno said the development was intended to support the safety, reliability and efficiency of services, while strengthening support for air traffic controllers (ATCs).

“We are delivering on that commitment through system and facility upgrades, stronger staff capabilities and the development of operational procedures. Air traffic controllers need reliable equipment and adequate information to make sound decisions,” Avirianto said in an official statement on Tuesday (20 October 2026).

He said AirNav had begun operating the latest-generation Air Traffic Management Automation System (ATMAS) in Jakarta, Medan, Pontianak and Balikpapan. The system was introduced in stages from November 2025, culminating in its deployment at the New Jakarta Air Traffic Services Centre (JATSC) on 16 June 2026.

The modernisation strengthens facilities for managing flights both at cruising altitude and as aircraft approach airports. The system includes tools for sequencing arrivals and departures, managing air traffic flows, providing aeronautical information, exchanging flight messages and handling voice communications.

The integrated equipment and information help ATCs manage aircraft movements and co-ordinate between units. Arrival and departure sequencing tools support service planning, while air traffic flow management helps align flight volumes with service capacity.

“Our focus is on ensuring that facility development meets operational needs. Equipment upgrades must go hand in hand with staff readiness and procedures so that they can be used effectively in day-to-day services,” Avirianto said.

As part of its service development, AirNav is implementing Free Route Operation (FRTO), which allows airlines to plan more efficient routes based on weather conditions and operational needs. It is being introduced gradually through trials, safety risk assessments and co-ordination with the regulator and relevant service units.

In 2025, 5,030 flights used FRTO in the Jakarta and Ujung Pandang flight information regions, an 82 per cent increase from 2,770 flights in 2024. AirNav’s calculations indicate that FRTO use in 2025 saved airlines US$8.04 million in fuel costs and avoided 5,426 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

AirNav Indonesia Operations Director Setio Anggoro presented the experience of implementing FRTO in the archipelagic region as a panellist at the ICAO Air Navigation World–Air Traffic Flow Management forum at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada, from 5 to 9 October 2026. His presentation covered the implementation stages and the support provided by automation systems, procedures and ATC expertise in handling more dynamic flight patterns.

To strengthen staff and organisational capabilities, AirNav is also working with Airservices Australia through the Indonesia Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP). The series of workshops, which concluded on 3 July 2026, covered workforce planning, air traffic management standards, data management, flight surveillance data processing and programme management.

Through ITSAP Senior Engagement, leaders from the two organisations also discussed safety, service modernisation, digital transformation and human resource development. Visits to Airservices Australia’s operational facilities formed part of an exchange of knowledge on technology deployment and service management.

At regional level, AirNav hosted the inaugural ICAO APAC Project 30/10 Task Force meeting in Tangerang from 16 to 18 June 2026. The meeting was attended by 61 delegates from 18 countries and representatives of international organisations.

Setio Anggoro, as task force chair, led discussions on a regional implementation mechanism to optimise separation distances between aircraft. The discussions covered technological readiness, operational procedures and cross-border co-ordination, with the aim of using airspace more efficiently while continuing to meet safety requirements.

Avirianto said international co-operation was a way to strengthen the company’s capabilities and align the development of cross-border services. Indonesia’s operational experience was also being discussed with air navigation service providers from other countries. On World ATC Day, he praised all controllers for their professionalism in serving aviation.

“ATC professionalism must be matched by tangible support from the company. We will continue to direct the development of systems, facilities and competencies towards service needs so that staff can work more effectively, co-ordination improves, and aviation safety and efficiency are maintained,” he concluded.