Seizing the Fishing Time
Prabowonomics is not just another economic jargon. It represents a philosophy of empowerment, self-reliance, and equitable growth. Its spirit is encapsulated in the metaphor of The Fishing Time: knowing the right moment to cast the net, to seize opportunities rather than waiting for them to pass.
Today, Indonesia stands at such a moment. The country is entering its fishing time. Economic recovery is gaining momentum, consumption is rising, and tourism is rebounding. Yet one sector holds a particularly strategic role in transforming this momentum into sustainable growth: civil aviation.
For an archipelagic nation of more than 17,000 islands, air transport is not merely a means of travel—it is the lifeline of national connectivity, integration, and global competitiveness. If Prabowonomics is to truly deliver prosperity, aviation must be one of its spearheads.
Civil Aviation as a Growth Engine
Airports are not just gateways; they are growth hubs. Every plane that takes off carries not only passengers but also economic value: tourists who will spend, entrepreneurs who will invest, and high-value cargo that supports exports and imports.
Indonesia’s aviation sector is showing strong signs of recovery and expansion. According to BPS, in 2024 domestic air passengers reached 504.6 million, an impressive 17.8 percent increase compared to 2023. International passengers rose by 21.5 percent, a clear signal that Indonesia is once again an attractive global destination.
InJourney Airports reported that its 37 airports handled 155.9 million passengers in 2024—an average of 426,000 passengers and 3,175 flights per day. Meanwhile, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport alone served 3.56 million passengers during the 2025 Eid travel period, up nearly 8 percent from the previous year.
These figures demonstrate one thing: Indonesia’s skies are busier than ever, and the momentum is real.
Take-Off, Climb, and Cruise: A National Flight Path
Indonesia’s economic trajectory can be illustrated through aviation phases:
Take-Off: The current stage. Momentum is building, demand is surging, and the “engine thrust” is ready. Post-pandemic recovery provides the lift needed.
Climb: The consolidation stage. This is where Indonesia must strengthen infrastructure, stabilize fuel costs, and expand its international routes.
Cruise: The long-term goal. A stable, efficient, and globally competitive aviation sector—where Indonesia not only meets domestic demand but also becomes a regional hub.
This metaphor resonates with Prabowonomics: bold enough to accelerate (take-off), disciplined enough to sustain (climb), and visionary enough to achieve stability (cruise).
Strengthening the Supporting Industries
Aviation cannot flourish without its supporting ecosystem. Three pillars need urgent strengthening:
- Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO)
Indonesia’s MRO potential is valued at around US$920 million, with opportunities to expand beyond US$2 billion in the coming years. Yet a large portion of aircraft maintenance is still conducted abroad, draining valuable foreign exchange. Developing local MRO capacity will save costs, create jobs, and attract regional clients.
- Manufacturing and Supply Chains
The non-oil manufacturing sector already contributes nearly 19 percent of GDP. With proper direction, part of this industrial capacity could be steered toward aviation-related components, logistics, and ground-handling equipment.
- Human Capital
Pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and ground staff are strategic assets. Strengthening training, certification, and international cooperation—especially with ICAO—will enhance Indonesia’s credibility and competitiveness.
Challenges: Clouds on the Horizon
Indonesia’s aviation growth, however, is not free of turbulence.
- High operating costs, particularly jet fuel and airport charges, weigh heavily on airlines.
- Infrastructure imbalance, with Soekarno-Hatta over-congested while many regional airports remain underutilized.
- Regional competition, as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand have established strong aviation hubs that Indonesia must catch up with.
Navigating with Prabowonomics
This is where Prabowonomics and The Fishing Time come in—not by waiting, but by proactively casting the net to seize opportunities. Policy directions could include:
- Stabilizing jet fuel prices through smarter fiscal instruments.
- Transforming regional airports such as Makassar, Medan, and Balikpapan into secondary hubs.
- Offering investment incentives for MRO facilities to accelerate growth.
- Expanding aviation diplomacy—securing new international routes and reinforcing Indonesia’s reputation as a country with world-class safety standards.
Towards a Cruising Altitude
If these strategies are consistently pursued, the vision is within reach:
- Indonesian airlines becoming major players not just domestically, but across Asia-Pacific.
- Airports like Soekarno-Hatta and Ngurah Rai are evolving into true international hubs.
- Indonesia emerging as Southeast Asia’s leading MRO hub.
- Indonesian aviation professionals are recognized as world-class contributors to global air safety.
This is not a distant dream. The data already points to the runway ahead. All that remains is the courage to accelerate.
Conclusion: Seizing the Sky
Prabowonomics – The Fishing Time is not only about capturing opportunities on land and sea, but also in the sky. Civil aviation, with its enormous domestic market and growing international presence, is ready for take-off.
With the right navigation, Indonesia’s flight path will be clear: from take-off to climb, and finally to cruise at the altitude of global competitiveness.
The sky is not the limit—it is the arena. And under Prabowonomics, Indonesia has every reason to believe this is our fishing time, this is our take-off moment.
