AirNav Indonesia Examines Papua Airspace Challenges to Strengthen Flight Safety

AirNav Indonesia brings aviation stakeholders together to discuss flight safety challenges in Papua. (Red/Ist)

PEWARTA.CO.ID — AirNav Indonesia is examining the unique characteristics of Papua's airspace to strengthen flight safety in a region shaped by rapidly changing weather, limited visibility and mountainous terrain.

The effort was discussed at the Papua Aviation Stakeholder Forum 2026, themed “Safer Skies Through Collaboration,” in Timika, Papua, on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.

The forum brought together aviation regulators, air navigation service providers, airport operators, the Indonesian Air Force, and pilots to examine operational challenges and develop solutions for aviation in Papua.

Papua's geography creates unique flight challenges

AirNav Indonesia President Director Capt. Avirianto Suratno said understanding Papua's airspace characteristics must continue to evolve alongside changes in flight operations across the region.

“Understanding the characteristics of Papua's airspace needs to continue to be developed along with the dynamics of flight operations in this region. Through this forum, we hope to find innovations that can be implemented so that we can work to improve flight safety in Papua's airspace,” Avirianto said.

Papua's natural conditions require a high level of awareness among aviation personnel. Rapid weather changes, visibility, air temperature and mountain ranges can affect flight conditions as well as pilots' visual perception.

“Natural conditions can sometimes trigger a mirage. Pilots see it as if the terrain is flat, when in fact there are mountains,” Avirianto said.

The forum therefore emphasized the importance of shared understanding and communication between pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs). Avirianto said pilots and ATCs have different perspectives and responsibilities, making direct information exchange important for better operational decisions.

“What we need is for each party to understand the challenges faced by the other. Pilots must understand the conditions faced by ATCs, and vice versa. That way, we can make better decisions for safety,” he said.

Aviation safety requires joint discipline

Participants also discussed compliance with technical aviation requirements, including the accuracy of cargo loads and official documentation.

Avirianto said seemingly simple administrative and operational matters can have implications for flight safety and therefore require discipline from all parties.

“Things like this must be disciplined together. Safety is not the responsibility of just one party, but the responsibility of the entire aviation ecosystem,” he said.

AirNav Indonesia expects the forum's discussions to produce recommendations and solutions that can be followed up in actual flight operations.

“Let this forum not be merely a place for discussion. What we find and agree on must be followed up,” Avirianto said.

Stakeholder coordination remains crucial

The forum comes as Asia and the Middle East enter one of the largest infrastructure investment cycles in aviation history, with up to US$240 billion expected to be invested in airport development across the regions.

According to Airports Council International (ACI), new investment in airport infrastructure is expected to create additional capacity for 1.24 billion passengers.

Against that broader aviation expansion, aviation stakeholders in Papua are focusing on conditions specific to the region, including geography and weather that can change quickly.

Rasburhany U., head of the Merauke Region X Airport Authority, welcomed the forum as a platform for bringing different aviation stakeholders together.

“Given Papua's geographical conditions and rapidly changing weather, updating information and coordination among stakeholders are important. This activity provides a forum to find solutions to problems that arise. We are committed to collaborating to ensure flight safety in Papua,” Rasburhany said.

He added that aviation safety requires cooperation among regulators, air navigation service providers, airport operators, airlines, pilots and other relevant parties.

“Stakeholders can discuss and provide input to ensure security and flight safety, particularly in Papua,” he said.