Indonesia and Turkey have agreed to expand civil aviation cooperation by adding routes and flight capacity. The deal was reached during bilateral consultations in Istanbul on October 22-23, 2025. This step is expected to boost connectivity, tourism, trade, and broader economic opportunities.
The Indonesian delegation, led by Agustinus Budi Hartono, Director of Air Transport at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Transportation, participated in bilateral air transport consultations with Turkey in Istanbul on October 22-23, 2025. The meeting resulted in the signing of two key documents: a record of discussion and an implementing arrangement, strengthening air links between the two nations.
This agreement follows the commitment made by the Presidents of Indonesia and Turkey at the First High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting in Bogor on February 12, 2025, which requested additional direct flight frequencies. Both countries agreed to add eight new destinations in Indonesia: Yogyakarta, Majalengka, Manado, Medan, Balikpapan, Sorong, Kediri, and Lombok, complementing Jakarta and Denpasar. In Turkey, Izmir and Bodrum were added to Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya.
Passenger traffic rights capacity increased from 14 to 32 flights per week. Agustinus stated, “This capacity increase is a strategic step to open broader connectivity between Indonesia and Turkey. The agreement also opens opportunities for airlines to explore new routes beyond Jakarta and Denpasar.”
Additionally, the countries updated codeshare arrangements for third-country airlines and provisions for utilizing unused capacity through commercial agreements. Agustinus added, “This arrangement provides greater flexibility for airlines to optimize market potential without waiting for new adjustments to existing air agreements.”
Economically, Turkish airlines committed to expanding cooperation, including hiring more Indonesian pilots and cabin crew, strengthening Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) partnerships, and promoting Indonesian tourism destinations via Turkish Airlines. Agustinus emphasized, “This agreement is a crucial momentum in expanding aviation cooperation while opening greater economic opportunities for the national aviation industry.”