TNI AU's New Aircraft, Boeing 737-800 Arrives In Surabaya

A Boeing 737-800NG (Next Generation) aircraft purchased by the Ministry of Defense which will later be used by the Indonesian Air Force has landed at Juanda Airport, Surabaya.

This best-selling commercial transport aircraft made by Boeing will reinforce the 17th Air Squadron, Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.

This aircraft is projected to become a VIP transport aircraft and civil evacuation aircraft.

So far, the Indonesian Air Force has relied on quite old aircraft, namely the Boeing 737 Classic, whose last assignment was to evacuate Indonesian citizens from Yemen.

According to information, the B737-800NG with registration N658AD started a ferry flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Indonesia on June 7, 2023. During its flight, the aircraft used the callsign Astro58.

Before the aircraft was purchased by the ministry of defence, it was initially operated by Comair Limited, a South Africa-based airline operating scheduled services on domestic routes.

Comair received the B737-800NG ZS-ZWF in October 2015. However, in May 2022, this aircraft was registered with US-based TVPX Trust Services with registration N658AD.

By looking at this history, it can be calculated that the current age of the aircraft is 7 years and 8 months.

KSAU Marshal TNI Fadjar Prasetyo said that this new aircraft would support the Indonesian Air Force in carrying out its main duties.

"To support VIP flights, such as the B737-400/500 aircraft that have been operated so far," said Marshal Fadjar.

Of course, because of its large payload capacity and longer range, the A-7309 will be more effective in providing air transport support in emergency situations.

Say the evacuation of civil society (civic mission) from one location to another, both within the country and from abroad.