Middle East Conflict Impact: InJourney Airports Prepares Temporary Parking for Emirates and Etihad Aircraft
Jakarta — Geopolitical conflict in the Middle East region is beginning to impact international flight operations. To anticipate these conditions, airport operator InJourney Airports is preparing temporary parking facilities for several airlines from the Middle East.
Chief Executive Officer of PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero), or InJourney, Maya Watono, stated that this situation represents a global phenomenon that was unforeseen when the company drafted its 2026 business plan.
“This is actually a global phenomenon that we cannot predict. When drawing up our 2026 plans, we naturally did not take into account geopolitical dynamics such as those we see now,” said Maya at Soeta Airport on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
“We are preparing parking stands for several international airlines. Aircraft from Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar will be parked at several of our airports because there is indeed a need for this,” she added.
Several airports being prepared for these parking facilities include Lombok International Airport and Kertajati International Airport. Aircraft placement will be adjusted to match the parking capacity available at each airport.
“The number is still being calculated. We will prepare as many spaces as needed, particularly at airports that have adequate aircraft parking capacity,” said Maya.
According to her, the demand for aircraft parking from Middle Eastern airlines has emerged because they view Indonesia’s position as relatively safe and strategically located amid global uncertainty.
“Indonesia is one of the safest countries in the world and also the country with the largest Muslim population. In circumstances like these, Indonesia can become a strategic location, even serving as a long-stay base for some parties from the Middle East region,” she stated.
Additionally, Maya views the current global situation as an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen its domestic aviation market, which has significant potential.
“Our domestic market is very large. We must maximise that potential to drive economic development from Sabang to Merauke,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, or InJourney Airports, Achmad Syahir, noted that the current aviation situation remains dynamic due to geopolitical conditions in destination regions.
“Updates regarding geopolitical and aviation conditions are indeed on-off. When conditions at destinations become unfavourable, flights are automatically suspended temporarily,” said Achmad.
“We adapt here; if routes are opened we provide service, but if they are closed elsewhere, flights naturally cannot operate,” he emphasised.