The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, opened the Bali International Airshow 2024. This is the first event in Indonesia, having been held for nearly 30 years in various countries.
This event elevates Indonesia’s aerospace and defence sector to a higher level. The air show is a testament to Indonesia’s growing prowess in the aviation landscape.
Many original Indonesian air vehicle products are showcased at the Bali International Airshow 2024 at Ngurah Rai International Airport. One of them, a small aeroplane called Velo Alpha (Vela), will be the first flying taxi in Bali.
As reported by DetikBali, the flying taxi is planned to be mass-produced and take its first flight to Bali in 2028. Vela will be priced at around US$2.7 million when released to the market.
“Why Bali? Because this will be an experience of using new technology. After that, (targeting) cities that are densely populated, meaning traffic jams like Jakarta,” said Business Development Manager of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) Heber Panjaitan.
According to Heber, the flying taxi will target two segments. The public transportation and tourism segments. For the public transportation segment, it will be bookable online with ticket prices priced at approximately IDR 400 thousand per person.
This flying taxi will also use a driver so that it cannot be arbitrary people and can be ordered online.
Bali International Airshow 2024
View this post on Instagram
The event takes place September 18-21, 2024, showcasing Indonesia’s aviation and aerospace advancements.
Luhut stated that the organization of BIAS 2024 is a strategic turning point for the future of Indonesian aerospace. According to him, the products on display are high-quality products that demonstrate the development of Indonesia’s aviation industry.
As the region’s largest event, the Bali International Airshow 2024 reflects Indonesia’s commitment to elevating its aerospace and defence sectors to new heights, cementing its position as a major player in the Asia-Pacific aviation landscape.
