Boeing to set up training center in Indonesia

United States-based multinational commercial airplane producer Boeing says it will open an advanced aviation training center in Indonesia to meet growing demand in one of the world’s most vibrant economies.

Boeing vice president for flight services Sherry Carbary signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Transportation Ministry air transportation director general Herry Bhakti Gumay on Wednesday to establish the training center.

Under the MoU, both parties will focus on the development of supporting infrastructure for basic pilot and commercial jet pilot training programs in accordance US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations.

“We are aware that the aviation industry in Asia, especially Indonesia, continues to grow at an unprecedented level. To ensure safe and structured growth in the aviation sector, we need to conduct continuous training and capacity building,” Herry said on the sidelines of the signing of the agreement.

Carbary said that Indonesia would be Boeing’s model for commercial aviation development in emerging markets.

“Our collective goal is to make Indonesia a model for commercial aviation. We are very pleased to continue our relationship,” Sherry said.

According to the Transportation Ministry, more than 700 aircraft are currently operating in the nation, and that figure has been increasing by 8 percent a year.

Continued growth and the implementation of the ASEAN Open Sky Policy in 2015 and ASEAN single aviation market in 2020 means that Indonesia will need at least 4,000 additional pilots, 7,500 technicians and 1,000 air-traffic controllers.

Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook report said that the Southeast Asia region would require more than 47,000 additional commercial pilots and more than 60,000 additional maintenance over the next 20 years to support economic and air travel growth.

Indonesia currently has 13 aviation schools, much less than other nations with similar population sizes, such as the US, which has 1,076 schools, and the European Union, which has 369 schools.

Separately, the Transportation Ministry renewed its agreement with national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on aviation trainings on Wednesday.

“We thank the ministry, which has been supporting Garuda’s human resources development to help expand our networks. We are looking forward to engaging in a more comprehensive partnership with the ministry,” Garuda Indonesia president director Emirsyah Satar said.

The company has recruited 130 pilots over the last three years from Indonesian Aviation Institute (STPI) in Curug, Banten, he said.

Source : The Jakarta Post