Ministry of Transport prepares 39 new airport sites to strengthen Indonesian connectivity
The Ministry of Transport (Kemenhub) has prepared 39 locations for the construction of new airports to strengthen national connectivity, expand air transport access, and support economic growth and equitable regional development. “Currently, Indonesia has 257 operational airports. In addition, the government has designated 39 planned locations for new airport construction,” said Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa during the opening of the 2026 National Conference of the Indonesian Airport Experts Association (IABI) in Jakarta on Tuesday. He revealed that the plan is already included in the National Airport Master Plan, bringing the total number of airports in the national master plan to 296. “This network reflects the government’s commitment to providing equitable connectivity to frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions,” he stated. According to Lukman, as the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia requires a reliable airport network to strengthen inter-regional connectivity, drive economic growth, support the tourism sector, and expand public access to air transport services. He explained that airport development in Indonesia has been carried out across various complex geographical conditions, from swamp areas and peatlands to coastal zones, mountains, and small islands. The construction of airports across these diverse terrains has successfully overcome geographical challenges through the application of engineering technology and construction innovation, serving as valuable capital for Indonesia in developing airport infrastructure. “Going forward, airport development must not only be oriented towards physical infrastructure but must also prioritise safety, sustainability, technological utilisation, and resilience to climate change,” Lukman explained. He further emphasised that the success of airport development is inseparable from the role of experts in various fields, from planning, design, and construction to supervision and airport operation. Therefore, enhancing human resource competency is a key factor in supporting the national airport transformation. Lukman encouraged IABI to strengthen its role as a professional organisation capable of becoming a centre for competency development, innovation, and collaboration among Indonesian airport experts, including developing a nationally and internationally recognised professional certification system. He also expressed hope that IABI would become a home for Indonesian airport experts, producing professional human resources who are adaptive to technological developments such as artificial intelligence. “And capable of contributing not only to airport development in Indonesia but also to various airport projects at the regional and global levels,” Lukman said. Through the 2026 IABI National Conference, the Ministry of Transport hopes for closer collaboration between the government, academia, airport operators, industry, and professional organisations in building an innovative, safe, sustainable, and internationally competitive airport ecosystem. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Aviation Service Users Association (APJAPI), Alvin Lie, said the forum was an important moment to bring together airport and aviation experts. Alvin said his party gathered experts to discuss not only airport development but also the various dynamics and challenges currently facing the aviation industry. “We hope this forum will generate ideas and solutions that can contribute to improving Indonesia’s aviation ecosystem,” said Alvin Lie. The IABI National Conference 2026 also marked the transition of the organisation’s leadership from Chairman Moh. Iksan Tatang, who served from 2016 to 2026, to M. Pramintohadi Soekarno as the new Chairman for the 2026-2029 term.