The Indonesian-made aircraft N219 is set to enter commercial service and will be deployed in Bali to strengthen connectivity across eastern Indonesia.
“Insyaallah we will enter commercial operations. Whether for provincial connections or business routes such as in Bali,” said PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) President Director Gita Amperiawan, as quoted by detikBali.
The aircraft is being prepared to carry both passengers and cargo, including marine products. Previously, the N219 had been used to support connectivity in the Riau Islands region.
According to Gita, the aircraft’s reach in Bali will be broader than in Riau, with potential routes extending to Indonesia’s eastern regions.
“In Riau there are 10 points. In Bali it will be even more because it’s in the east. So I’m looking outward, toward Eastern Indonesia. We will draft the routes while holding FGDs,” he said.
The N219 is selected because its specifications match the needs of pioneer aviation. It accommodates 19 passengers, is powered by two engines, and can operate on short runways.
“And the 219 can take off and land on unpaved runways. About 50 percent of them are unpaved grass or gravel. And we designed it specifically for pioneer flights. So the market is extraordinary in my view for domestic connections and regional connectivity,” he explained.
In Bali, the aircraft is expected to operate at the North Bali Airport, which is considered ready in terms of infrastructure.
The N219 is PTDI’s first aircraft to receive full certification and was previously featured in one of the G20 side events in Belitung. Its development also received support from the Aircraft Manufacturing Facility (AMF).
PTDI is preparing the N219 to function as a commercial aircraft for passenger or cargo operations.
“We will enter the commercial aircraft market, both for provincial links and for business. N219 will be used for passengers or cargo. Right now we’re waiting it’s still operating in the Riau Islands before moving on,” Gita said.
Speaking in Badung, Bali, he added that PTDI is also working on strengthening human resources, including serving as an Aircraft Maintenance Training Organization (AMTO) to certify local personnel, supporting the national aerospace ecosystem and future N219 operations.
“The biggest challenge is building trust that we are capable. The N219 is a locally-made aircraft, the first one we have that is certified. We can supply its defense components and prepare its human resources this is what we must recognize, and we begin in Bali,” he stated.
The twin-engine aircraft, which seats 19 passengers, can operate effectively at pioneer airports with runways shorter than one kilometer and still unpaved.
He said PTDI is targeting 10 locations in the Riau Islands for potential commercial operation of the N219. In Bali, the number of destinations will likely be higher, especially with North Bali expected to become a hub for eastern Indonesia.
Letkol Wisnu Airport in North Bali is expected to serve as a center for the aerospace ecosystem, including operations of the N219.
Gita stated that the aircraft will be produced commercially once contracts begin. However, the USD 8.9-million aircraft is currently being developed mainly for military needs.
In the third quarter of 2025, PTDI plans to produce six units of the N219 for the Indonesian Army, and they have been instructed by President Prabowo Subianto to prepare an additional 30 units for military purposes.
Head of Aviation at Bali’s Transportation Agency, I Gede Nyoman Ari, noted that Letkol Wisnu Airport in Buleleng is strategically positioned for N219 operations and as a hub for eastern Indonesia.
“The runway is 900 meters, sufficient for the N219 which needs only 800 meters. If extended, it could reach 1,500 meters, and since the end of the runway faces the sea, it is suitable for amphibious aircraft,” he said.
Sources : DetikBali, AntaraNews
Feat Image : via PTDI