PT Smart Cakrawala Aviation (Smart Aviation), an Indonesia-based non-scheduled commercial airline, has purchased four Cessna Caravan CE208EX and one Cessna SkyCourier CE408 from Textron at the 2024 Singapore Air Show.

The company aims to strengthen the aviation infrastructure in Indonesia and provide support to the government in realising economic equality, especially in the outermost regions. The value of transactions was recorded at just under $5 billion; the Cessna 208 Caravan is $3,350m per unit and the Cessna 408 SkyCourier $9.8m.

Founder and CEO Pongky Majaya says: "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 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."

These types of aircraft were chosen for the suitability of their technology for Smart Aviation's operational areas, especially in areas of high air pressure such as the Papuan mountains. They will become the main support in providing efficient and reliable air transportation services to various destinations.

The new aircraft are expected to arrive in 2026, so in the meantime the company plans to purchase three used aircraft this year.

"The 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," says Textron senior vice president, global sales and flight operations Lannie O'Bannion.

"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," adds Pongky.