Ministry of Transport strengthens safety of pioneer aviation sector in Papua

The Ministry of Transport (Kemenhub) is tightening safety protocols for pioneer aviation in Papua to guarantee reliable and safe air transport services, supporting community mobility and logistics in the region.

The Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, stated that air transport serves as a vital artery for connectivity and is a crucial component of the state’s presence in the Papua region.

“Given the challenging geographical, weather, and topographical conditions, the task of aviation personnel in Papua requires dedication and resilience. Therefore, safety and security must be the top priority,” Lukman confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday.

Through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Transport held a Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorwil) for the Airport Authority Offices (OBU) Regions IX and X in Sorong, Southwest Papua.

Lukman noted that by 2026, Papua will be supported by 82 airports, 155 verified airstrips, and 200 pioneer routes that facilitate public access to healthcare, education, logistics, and emergency response.

In implementing the Minister of Transport’s Instruction Number IM 3 of 2026 regarding the Improvement of Safety in Transport Facilities and Infrastructure, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is strengthening preventive measures, particularly in mountainous and extreme areas, through ramp inspections.

Furthermore, the ministry is implementing risk-based supervision, regulatory strengthening, technical mitigation, avionics and navigation airworthiness, mountainous safety meetings, mountain region operational guidelines, continuous evaluation, and support for the availability of spare parts and airworthiness.