Later, we will follow up (on the ratification) by proposing an FIR border adjustment to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to obtain approval and make technical rules for the FIR agreement implementation.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Singapore have committed to following up on the Flight Information Region (FIR) agreement, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has said, according to a statement issued on Friday.

He made the statement after accompanying Indonesian President Joko Widodo to a bilateral meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Singapore Presidential Palace on Thursday (March 16, 2023).

"We have completed the ratification of the FIR agreement. Later, we will follow up (on the ratification) by proposing an FIR border adjustment to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to obtain approval and make technical rules for the FIR agreement implementation," Sumadi informed.

The agreement was decided at the “2022 Indonesia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat” in Bintan district, Riau Islands province.

On September 5, 2022, the Indonesian government formulated Presidential Regulation Number 109 of 2022 concerning the ratification of the agreement between the government of Indonesia and the government of Singapore on the realignment of the boundary Between the Jakarta FIR and the Singapore FIR.

Furthermore, the transportation ministries of the two countries signed a document in February 2023 as a follow-up to the FIR Agreement.

"I am very grateful for the extraordinary support from the leaders of the two countries, namely President of Indonesia, Mr. Joko Widodo, and Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, so that this FIR agreement has progressed well," the Indonesian minister stated.

According to the statement, the FIR agreement marks a leap toward gaining international recognition of Indonesia’s air space.

The implementation of the FIR agreement aims to improve the safety and security of the aviation sector, increase Indonesia’s non-tax state revenue (PNBP), modernize flight navigation equipment in Indonesia, as well as bolster the development of the country’s human resources.

Under the FIR agreement, the air space of 249,575 square kilometers over the Riau and Natuna Islands, which has so far been controlled by Singapore, will be managed by Indonesia.

The agreement will remain effective for 25 years and could be extended by mutual consent.

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Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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