REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG -- State-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) will make 75 N219 light aircraft for three local airlines, namely PT Nusantara Buana Air (NBA), PT Aviastar Mandiri, and PT Trigana Air Service.
President Joko Widodo witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT DI and the three airline companies at Puspitek (Research and Technology Center) in South Tangerang district, Banten province, on Monday (13/4).
"The MoU between PT DI and three local airline companies shows the trust that consumers have on N219 aircraft as well as on other national products," President Director of PT DI Budi Santoso said.
N219 is a small airplane that can carry 19 passengers.
PT DI noted that an N219 aircraft that is equipped with the latest electronic and aviation technology comes at a competitive price.
It can take off from a relatively short airstrip of 500-600 meters long.
The airplane will be one of the state-owned aircraft industry's best products in the future as it has been designed for multi-purpose missions in remote areas.
N219 will be able to bridge remote areas in Indonesia, Santoso pointed out.
Former President B.J. Habibie and Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M. Nasir were also present at the signing of the MoU.
As per the MoU, PT NBA will buy 20 aircraft with 10 unit options, while PT Aviastar Mandiri will have 20 units with 10 unit options.
PT Trigana Air Service will buy 10 units with five unit options.