Jakarta, February 24, 2026 —The government is currently reviewing the possibility of making the air transportation sector a publicly operated service, given the increasing need for public mobility and the operational challenges faced by commercial airlines in recent years.
The Ministry of Transportation stated that this step is still in the early stages of discussion, but the primary focus is ensuring accessibility and affordability of air services, especially for areas that are currently considered remote or have unprofitable commercial routes.
According to the Director General of Civil Aviation, the public operator model allows the government to take a greater role in service provision, either through state-owned enterprises or state-appointed special operators. “This approach is currently being studied to ensure that all regions of Indonesia receive equitable and affordable air services,” he said.
Some analysts view this idea as a response to the rising operational costs of commercial airlines and the public’s dependence on air transportation for inter-island mobility. With more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia is one of the countries most in need of stable and affordable air connectivity.
However, some also caution that the shift to a public operator requires significant investment, regulatory certainty, and transparent management to avoid increasing the fiscal burden. Industry players also question how this model can coexist with existing private airlines.
“Air transport may be publicly operated. The government is currently reviewing the possibility of making the air transport sector a publicly operated service, given the increasing need for public mobility and the operational challenges faced by commercial airlines.”
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The government is targeting completion of the initial study by mid-year before entering the public consultation phase. If implemented, the public operator scheme could be a strategic step to strengthen national connectivity and improve the quality of air transportation services in Indonesia.