Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia is moving toward Advanced Air Mobility through a new partnership between Whitesky Aviation and AutoFlight.
The two companies signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on August 12, 2026, at Cengkareng Heliport, Tangerang.
The agreement covers 60 AutoFlight V2000EM Prosperity electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The program could reach CNY 1 billion, or around Rp2.7 trillion, if all stages proceed as planned.
However, the figure represents potential value rather than a completed transaction.
The partnership also covers several areas beyond aircraft procurement. These include certification, operations, maintenance, pilot training, technician training and safety standards.
The companies will also work on regulatory preparation and vertiport development. Whitesky plans to gradually transform its existing helipad network into vertiports across Indonesia.
The network could connect major cities, airports, tourism destinations, business areas and industrial centers. It could also support connectivity between regions across the archipelago.
Whitesky Group founder Denon Prawiraatmadja said Indonesia needs to develop the wider industry alongside eVTOL operations.
“We need to build the infrastructure, human resources, safety standards and maintenance capabilities,” Denon said.
The AutoFlight partnership forms part of Whitesky’s broader eVTOL roadmap. The company currently has a pipeline of up to 152 eVTOL aircraft.
The pipeline includes 122 aircraft from Chinese manufacturers and 30 aircraft from Japan. Whitesky also expects the ecosystem to grow through long-term financing and development.
Over a 10-year period, the company estimates the broader eVTOL ecosystem could reach Rp7.8 trillion in potential value.
Whitesky stressed that the figure reflects its development estimate. It does not represent transactions that have already taken place.
The company also sees potential links between electric aviation and Indonesia’s growing battery industry. One opportunity involves possible long-term cooperation with CATL in Karawang.
Denon said Indonesia needs to capture more value from the emerging industry instead of becoming only a technology buyer.
“Indonesia must be part of that value chain—as an operator, infrastructure developer, talent hub and global industry partner.”
The Whitesky-AutoFlight partnership could therefore help establish the foundations for Indonesia’s eVTOL industry. It could also strengthen the country’s position in Asia-Pacific’s growing Advanced Air Mobility market.
