Indonesia pursues ICAO Council seat and expands aviation presence

Indonesia is pursuing a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council for the 2026-2027 term. Following a five-year absence from the Council due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is utilizing diplomacy and technological advancements to strengthen its candidacy for the November 2026 election.

AirNav Indonesia, the nation's air navigation manager, is highlighting its modernized infrastructure and innovations, such as artificial intelligence for drone-based runway inspections and System Wide Information Management (SWIM), to demonstrate its capabilities. ICAO President Toshiyuki Onuma recently visited AirNav Indonesia facilities to review these developments.

In a separate development within the Indonesian aviation sector, BBN Airlines Indonesia has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Jakarta-based non-scheduled airline, which specializes in wet-lease and charter services, obtained the required IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration in 2025. The airline plans to expand its fleet with an Airbus A320 by December 2026.