Jakarta 26 February 2024 - PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation (Smart Aviation), a non-scheduled commercial air transportation services company, is proud to announce its strategic step by purchasing 4 (four) units of Caravan c208ex and 1 (one) unit of Sky Courier c408 in new condition from Textron Inc., a manufacturer of aircraft, defense equipment and industrial products that emphasize advanced technology from the United States, at the 2024 Air Show at the Changi Exhibition Center, Singapore on Thursday, February 22 2024.

This step aims to strengthen aviation infrastructure in Indonesia and provide optimal support to the government in realizing economic equality, especially in the outermost regions, through superior Smart Aviation services. The value of transactions carried out in cash between Smart Aviation and Textron Inc. This was recorded at Rp. 400 billion, consisting of the price of the Cessna 208 Caravan of US$ 3,350 million (equivalent to Rp. 52,437 billion, exchange rate of 1 US$ = Rp. 15,567) per unit and the price of the Cessna 408 Sky Courier of US$ 9.8 million (equivalent to Rp. 153, 44 billion) per unit.

Pongky Majaya, Founder & CEO of Smart Aviation said, "Smart Aviation places special emphasis on this moment as a strategic step in supporting the development of the aviation industry in Indonesia through the Signing of an MoU with Textron Inc. to procure a number of aircraft. "We are doing this in response to the growing business needs in Smart Aviation's operational areas as well as adding to our fleet to strengthen our position as the main player in the commercial aviation industry in Indonesia."

This type of aircraft was chosen because it has technology that can be used in accordance with the needs of Smart Aviation's operational areas, especially in meeting demands in several areas that have contours with high pressure air, such as the Papuan mountains. The Cessna SkyCourier is a high-wing, twin-capacity, turboprop aircraft that offers a combination of performance and lower operating costs for airlift, commuter and special mission operators. This fleet is available in two versions, namely cargo and passenger. The passenger version of the Cessna SkyCourier can accommodate up to 19 people with crew and passenger doors for smooth boarding and disembarkation, as well as large cabin windows to allow natural light into the aircraft. Then, the existing configuration on the Cessna SkyCourier offers single-point fueling to enable faster changeovers.

Meanwhile, the cargo variant is equipped with large doors and a flat-floor cab large enough to handle up to three LD3 shipping containers with an impressive payload capability of up to 6,000 pounds. This type of aircraft is powered by two engines, namely the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC Turboprop, a tough and reliable four-blade aluminum propeller with a length of 110 inches that can rotate fully with a reverse stroke and is designed to increase the aircraft's performance when carrying large loads. SkyCourier is operated with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and has a maximum cruise speed of over 200 knots, with a maximum range of 900 nautical miles.

These aircraft will later become the main support in providing efficient and reliable air transportation services in various destinations in Indonesia. This decision is also in line with Smart Aviation's vision to be a pioneer in strengthening the Indonesian aviation ecosystem. The investment was officially marked by a signing in 2024, with the new aircraft expected to arrive in 2026. Therefore, while waiting for the arrival of new aircraft from Textron Inc., the company has planned to purchase 3 (three) used aircraft in 2024.

“SkyCourier's extraordinary capabilities, combined with its cost efficiency and versatile cabin design, make it a fleet that will bring real change to Indonesia. This order underscores our commitment to providing advanced solutions to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry. "We are excited to see the transformational impact our fleet can have in connecting and driving progress in Indonesia and beyond," said Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Flight Operations, Textron Inc., Lannie O'Bannion, in Singapore. 

Apart from reflecting the increase in Smart Aviation's operational capabilities, this strategic decision shows the company's determination to support the government to achieve economic equality, especially in outer regions, through its superior services. In carrying out its operational activities, Smart Aviation offers various types of services, such as Exclusive Airplane Rental, Weather Modification Technology (TMC), flight surveys to create area maps, area contours, water flows and air patrols, to Amo Smart Aviation which provides private airports and hangar facilities for maintenance and repair of aircraft and helicopters.

As one of the main contributors to the growth of Indonesian aviation, Smart Aviation remains committed to being a trusted partner in meeting air transportation needs in Indonesia. Sustainable initiatives, innovation and dedication to service quality will continue to be Smart Aviation's cornerstone towards a better aviation future in this country.
"We are confident that these steps will strengthen Smart Aviation's position as a leader in the commercial aviation industry in Indonesia and will have a positive impact on the development of the national aviation ecosystem," concluded Pongky.