Indonesia plans six aircraft maintenance hubs in strategic regions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Transportation has announced plans to establish six integrated aircraft maintenance centers, known as Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMOs), in strategic regions across the country.

“We plan to build the AMO centers in six locations,” said Director of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations Sokhib Al Rokhman following the 2025 Indonesia Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Summit (IMROS) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The centers will be located in Batam, Kertajati, and Budiarto Curug Airport in western Indonesia; Makassar in the central region; and Timika and Sentani in the east.

According to Rokhman, the initiative is part of the ministry’s broader strategy to transform the national aviation industry toward greater independence and operational efficiency.

“This is our grand design to realize an integrated aircraft maintenance ecosystem,” he explained.

The six AMO hubs are expected to rival regional leaders such as Seletar in Singapore, Subang Aerospace Park in Malaysia, Don Mueang in Thailand, and U-Tapao in Vietnam.

Rokhman noted that Indonesia will adopt a similar development model to Malaysia’s Subang Airport, which was designated a special economic zone.

“We will implement similar measures in Kertajati and Budiarto Curug to ensure the availability of a leading MRO area that can compete regionally and globally,” he said.

Development in Batam is already underway, backed by investment from the Lion Group through Batam Aero Technic (BAT), with Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) expected to follow.

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has also committed to accelerating land preparation for the MRO zones in Kertajati and Budiarto Curug.

Rokhman confirmed that the construction will be financed through non-state budget investment, using a collaborative scheme between the government and both domestic and international aircraft maintenance industry players.

“The government will provide land and basic infrastructure, while the private sector will invest in the facilities through joint ventures with global manufacturers,” he said.

He added that the initiative opens doors for strategic partnerships, such as Boeing with GMF or Airbus with local firms—models already seen in Singapore and Thailand.

Meanwhile, the AMO centers in Timika and Sentani will focus on servicing small aircraft like the Cessna Caravan and Pilatus, which are vital for operations in eastern Indonesia.