July 16th, 2026
On a Major Mission, IAe Set to Relocate CN235 and N219 Production to Kertajati Airport
ABNnews – Indonesian Aerospace (Persero) (IAe) is pursuing a major mission to ramp up its production capacity.
The national aerospace giant is preparing to relocate production, testing, and maintenance activities for its flagship aircraft, the CN235 and N219, to the West Java International Airport (BIJB) area in Kertajati, Majalengka.
This strategic move was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAe and PT BIJB on the Development of the Western Side of Kertajati Airport, laying the groundwork for a national aerospace industrial zone.
The agreement was signed by IAe President Director Gita Amperiawan together with BIJB Acting Director Ronald H. Sinaga.
The signing ceremony was witnessed directly by the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana, and Majalengka Regent Eman Suherman, at the Coordinating Ministry's office in Central Jakarta.
The move is also IAe's concrete response after receiving a major order from the state to produce 80 CN235 aircraft and 30 N219 aircraft.
The new cluster in Kertajati is expected to accelerate the commercialization of the N219 while strengthening the company's production infrastructure.
Coordinating Minister AHY expressed strong appreciation for the strategic collaboration. He said the government is fully committed to transforming Kertajati into more than just a commercial aircraft landing site — turning it into a solid aerospace ecosystem hub.
"Today we are witnessing the signing of the MoU between IAe and BIJB as part of a joint commitment to develop Kertajati into a national aerospace industry hub," AHY said in a statement, quoted on Thursday (16/7/2026).
AHY stressed the importance of backing the domestic defense and aerospace industry so it can carry more weight on the international stage.
"If not us, then who? We have the capability, we have the industry, we just need to work out how to create the market. Developed countries always start by backing their own domestic industries before they're able to compete in the global market," AHY affirmed.
The development cooperation on the western side of Kertajati Airport will proceed in phases, covering the short, medium, and long term.
In the initial phase, both parties will immediately optimize the airport's existing facilities, including the runway. This facility will be used to support flight testing of IAe's flagship products, covering the Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) categories, for both military and commercial needs.
Through this ecosystem, IAe will not only focus on selling products but also provide comprehensive after-sales services, including fleet testing and certification, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), aircraft structure manufacturing (aerostructure), and life cycle support services to strengthen fleet readiness.
This synergy has also sparked optimism from the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara). In remarks from the Head of BPI Danantara, read out by Gita Amperiawan, it was affirmed that Kertajati has great potential to give rise to a robust aerospace industry in the future.
"We are very confident that a robust national aerospace industry can be built here in Kertajati. There will be manufacturing, MRO, and aerostructures, and of course this will become a collaboration between industry, central government, regional government, and global partners," Gita said.
Echoing this sentiment, West Java Provincial Assistant for Economy and Development Sumasna, representing the Governor of West Java, also expressed hope that Kertajati could transform into a new backbone of the regional economy.
"Our hope is that Kertajati won't stop at being an airport, but will also grow into one of the national aerospace industry centers," Sumasna concluded.
Source: https://abnnews.id/2026/07/16/punya-misi-besar-ptdi-siap-boyong-produksi-cn235-dan-n219-ke-bandara-kertajati/