Bappenas: JDI with Airbus to Strengthen Indonesia's Aerospace Industry

Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, has stated that the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between Bappenas and aircraft manufacturer Airbus will strengthen the development of Indonesia’s aerospace industry ecosystem. “With the treatment and capacity strengthening of Indonesia’s aerospace industry, we will not only become a market but also part of the global supply and value chain,” Rachmat said during the signing of the JDI between the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and Airbus in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to him, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas has prepared a roadmap for the aerospace industry, and Bappenas remains committed to guiding the development of the aerospace industry ecosystem. Rachmat explained that the current level of public air travel visits is around 0.4 trips per capita per year. However, in line with statements from the Minister of Industry, this figure is projected to increase significantly to 1.4 trips per capita per year over the next two decades. In line with this, air passenger traffic is estimated to grow at an average of 7.4 percent per year, reaching around 477 million passengers. This figure exceeds the global average growth of around 3.6 percent. “To meet this demand, an expansion of air fleet capacity is certainly needed, with the current number of active fleets at around 550 units, projected to more than triple to 1,900 units by 2045, and possibly even larger,” Rachmat said. The development of Indonesia’s aerospace industry must be carried out comprehensively, not limited to aircraft transactions and usage, but broader, encompassing the aircraft manufacturing supply chain. As a follow-up to the Joint Declaration of Intent signed today, Rachmat said, Airbus will collaborate with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). This collaboration will continue to integrate with Airbus and be supported by ministries/institutions, state-owned enterprises, Indonesian universities, and the private sector as a centre for aerospace growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Rachmat hopes that PTDI can become a Tier 1 supplier for Airbus, meaning PTDI can start manufacturing complete wings for Airbus aircraft or even aircraft that will later build a factory in Kertajati. “For this, improvements in standardisation, service quality, operational efficiency, technology utilisation, and no less importantly, strengthening human resources are required. And this is continuously encouraged so that the growth of the aerospace industry grows sustainably,” Rachmat said.