Whitesky pushes for eVTOL heliport infrastructure development in Indonesia
National private company PT Whitesky Aviation Group is pushing for the development of heliport infrastructure to support the sustainability of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) mobility in Indonesia.
“When we talk about eVTOL, we are not just talking about aircraft. We are talking about an ecosystem that must be prepared from the start, ranging from infrastructure, regulation, operators, and safety, to connectivity with other modes of transport,” said CEO of Whitesky Group, Denon Prawiraatmadja, during the “Welcoming the Future of Air Mobility” event held with SkyDrive Inc in Tangerang on Tuesday.
According to Denon, the future of air mobility cannot be viewed solely through the lens of aircraft technology; rather, it requires a broader ecosystem, including heliport and vertiport infrastructure, operator readiness, safety standards, airspace management, regulation, and integration with land transport.
“Whitesky wants to be part of that process by providing relevant infrastructure and collaboration for Indonesia,” he said.
He noted that strengthening heliport infrastructure is a crucial step because technologies such as eVTOL require departure and arrival points that are safe, integrated, and compliant with aviation operational standards.
“Through Cengkareng Heliport and plans to develop a heliport network in various strategic regions, Whitesky Group is positioning itself as a private player driving the readiness of future air mobility infrastructure in Indonesia,” he explained.
He stated that the company currently operates Cengkareng Heliport and is developing heliport infrastructure in Balikpapan. This plan aligns with the need for short-distance air connectivity, particularly for airport areas, business centres, industrial zones, tourism destinations, and national strategic areas.
“Furthermore, Whitesky has a vision to develop a network of approximately 20–30 heliports across various strategic regions in Indonesia,” he added.
In the context of eVTOL development, he noted that heliports and vertiports will be essential elements in determining operational readiness. Future air mobility technology requires locations that serve not only as take-off and landing points but also possess accessibility, safety systems, operational support, and connections to ground transport.
“Cengkareng Heliport serves as an example of how existing infrastructure can act as an initial space to introduce eVTOL technology to the government, industry, investors, academics, and the public,” he explained.
As an archipelagic nation with extensive connectivity needs, Indonesia possesses significant opportunities to develop short-distance air mobility. However, these opportunities can only be realised if supported by a network of infrastructure that is safe, measurable, and tailored to local needs.
Additionally, the development of heliports and vertiports opens new opportunities for investors. Air mobility infrastructure can become part of a new value chain encompassing airport-to-city connectivity, premium transport services, industrial area mobility, tourism, medical evacuation, and other operational support services.
“In the long term, infrastructure readiness will determine how far eVTOL can be developed sustainably in Indonesia,” he stated.
He added that by introducing SkyDrive and developing a heliport network, Whitesky is striving to pave the way for Indonesia to join the global conversation regarding eVTOL and Urban Air Mobility.
Through this introduction, it is hoped that this will serve as an initial step in understanding how air mobility can evolve in the coming years.
“For the government, this initiative can provide a space for collaboration to assess regulatory and safety needs from a practical industry perspective. For investors, the development of heliport and vertiport infrastructure demonstrates that the future of eVTOL has a much broader business dimension than just aircraft technology,” he concluded.