Helicopters could become a promising alternative mode of transportation for Indonesia’s future, especially given the country’s archipelagic geography. Although not yet as dominant as conventional airplanes, the helicopter industry has carved out its own niche in the market. Currently, however, this sector faces a downturn due to economic uncertainties.
Ari Nurwanda, Chief Commercial Officer of Whitesky Aviation, explained that this year, helicopter usage has declined by about 40%. Despite this dip, interest remains, fueled by both business needs and tourism pursuits.
**Continued Content**
“Let’s be honest, demand exists, but it’s not at the level it was before. Especially for inter-city travel, the figures just don’t match up anymore—there’s almost a 40% drop,” Ari stated during a press conference at Heli Expo Asia (HEXIA) 2025, held at Cengkareng Heliport, Tangerang, on August 6, 2025.
He elaborated that helicopter demand for transportation is mainly active in mining regions like Kalimantan, where it serves corporate operations. Meanwhile, in city areas, the primary demand is driven by tourism. Every region has its own characteristics, tuned to its specific needs for helicopter services.
“In our case, the focus here leans more toward tourism—helicopter joyrides and sightseeing. In Kalimantan and Sulawesi, the demand skews toward business activities, such as supporting mining companies and plantations. They have different needs because those areas support industries that require quick, efficient transport,” Ari explained.
In urban settings, helicopter routes typically connect points within cities—like Jakarta to Bandung or Cilegon—and include scenic joyflights around Cengkareng. The routes are point-to-point, tailored to urban mobility.
For those interested in this alternative transport option, there are no complicated requirements. The process is straightforward, but safety and security are prioritized at every step. Ari emphasized that the rental procedures are simple: potential clients can directly call the call center, specify their preferred route or flight experience, and the team will handle the planning and calculations. Once everything is aligned, the booking is complete.
Helicopter rentals are billed hourly. At HEXIA 2025, attendees can experience joyflights for free (subject to luck) or opt for paid flights. Prices start around $2,000 USD per hour for smaller helicopters, while joyflights are listed at approximately Rp 6 million. During HEXIA, a single flight is priced at Rp 5.5 million.
The joyflight routes during the event encompass the vicinity of Cengkareng, BSD, Alam Sutera, and the Sungai Cisadane area, with an estimated flight duration of about 16 minutes.
