A new Southeast Asian airline that plans to operate as an international-only, full-service carrier could launch as soon as late 2025, the boss of the fledgling airline has said.
Indonesia Airlines originally targeted November 2024 for its inaugural flights, but reported delays in fit-outs pushed back its launch.
“After final discussions with our interior consultants, they informed us they couldn’t meet the initial deadline,” Indonesia Airlines CEO Iskandar Ismail said.
“We are still working on this with them, but we remain committed to launching by the end of this year. If needed, we’re prepared to shift the inaugural flight to early next year.”
Before then, Iskandar says the airline is planning a soft launch in Jakarta as early as July. And while the company hasn’t submitted its licence yet, it says 80 per cent of the paperwork is done and will be filed soon.
According to The Jakarta Globe, the carrier has secured funding for three planes and is currently negotiating for four more jets.
However, the airline eventually plans to acquire 20 jets including 10 wide-body Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 aircraft for long-haul flights.
With a twin-aisle long-haul fleet, it’s easy to imagine that flights Down Under could be on the cards – but with a major Aussie investor linked to the project, that prospect could be even likelier.
“The Australian investor has already informed the president directly of his strong interest,” Iskandar said.
Criticism of carrier
A senior Indonesian official hasn’t helped the new airline’s cause.
Last week, the Indonesian Transportation Ministry’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa dismissed the project as a “hoax”, saying his department hadn’t received any formal license applications from the airline.
“There’s no follow-up, nothing,” he told reporters.
Predictably, the remarks irked Iskandar, who called the statement “deeply regrettable” and “counterproductive” to Indonesia’s interests.
“It’s laughable to say we’ve had no coordination with the ministry. For the past two years, we’ve held regular discussions, including weekly visits from ministry staff,” he said this week.
“Our partners in Singapore and Thailand are even encouraging us to base operations there. But our commitment is to grow Indonesia’s aviation industry massively, not just operate an airline.
“We will not back down. What we are doing has huge benefits for Indonesia: job creation, national revenue and industry transformation.”
If it does go ahead, don’t be surprised to see it enter an Australian market ripe for extra air capacity – especially to Indonesia’s biggest holiday hotspot, Bali. If that were to happen, the carrier would join multiple Indonesian airlines that have recently entered the Australia-Bali market.
According to The Indonesia Business Post, Iskandar said earlier this year the carrier “will only focus on international flights”, promising “a new era of luxury with a private jet experience on commercial flights”.
“Our mission is to redefine the air travel experience with premium service, where safety is our top priority.”
Backed by a reported €12.8 billion in committed funding, Indonesia Airlines is owned by Calypte Holding.
