Han Revanda Putra, Jakarta – European airplane manufacturer Airbus has projected that Indonesia will require at least 1,000 new aircraft within the next two decades. This will solidify its position as one of the world's fastest-growing markets for the aviation sector.
Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia Pacific, attributed this estimate to the robust growth in Indonesia's passenger traffic, which is around 7.4 percent per year. This figure is more than double the global average of 3.6 percent.
Given Indonesia's vast archipelago of 17,000 islands and a population of 280 million, many of whom have yet to experience air travel, Anand emphasized the crucial role of air transportation in driving sustainable economic growth.
"As the demand for air travel continues to rise, the current fleet and confirmed orders will clearly be insufficient to meet the growing needs," he said in a written statement on Friday, September 20, 2024.
In Indonesia, the number of aircraft with more than 100 seats currently in operation from all manufacturers stands at 480. Additionally, there are 490 aircraft on order. Airbus aircraft account for half of the operational fleet.
Anand expressed Airbus's interest in forging partnerships in Indonesia, highlighting its longstanding relationship with Indonesian plane maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia, which spans nearly 50 years. Moreover, Airbus aims to establish new collaborations with both government and private entities.
With the signing of a memorandum of understanding with oil and gas giant Pertamina during the opening of the Bali International Airshow (BIAS), Anand emphasized Indonesia's immense potential for developing new partnerships in the realm of sustainability.
As Airbus strives to meet the increasing demand for air travel, Anand acknowledged the significant challenge of ensuring a sustainable future for the aviation industry.
"We recognize Indonesia as one of the countries in Asia and the Pacific that offers the greatest potential as a source of raw materials for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)," he added. These commodities include used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and municipal waste, which can be sourced locally and contribute to local development.