According to Indonesian news agency Antara, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan says this would be possible once the necessary infrastructure and manpower are ready.
Saifulbahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 26 Sep 15;
JAKARTA: Indonesia has said it hopes to take over management of the flight information region (FIR) above the Riau Islands from Singapore in three to four years.
According to local news agency Antara, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said this would be possible once the necessary infrastructure and manpower are ready.
Luhut said Indonesia is serious about the transfer of FIR authority, and the government has taken steps including meeting the relevant ministers in Singapore.
Luhut added that he met Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean last week, and the discussion on the FIR was conducted in a friendly atmosphere.
"The dialogue went well, in a positive spirit. Besides that, I've also met with the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, who said they supported us to take over the FIR in three to four years from now," said Luhut.
Singapore has been in control of the airspace above some areas in Riau - such as Batam, Tanjung Pinang, Bintan and the Natuna islands - since 1946.
The current set of regulations was put in place with the approval of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
- CNA/ec
