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eVTOL has the potential to develop into part of the new infrastructure supporting industrial activities and economic productivity in Indonesia. This view was expressed by Denon Prawiraatmadja, Head of Infrastructure APINDO and Founder and CEO of Whitesky Group, at the Advanced Air Mobility international forum in Shanghai, China, on (07/22), 2026.
He believes that eVTOL serves more than just a mode of passenger transportation in urban areas. This technology can accelerate mobility to mining, plantation, downstream areas, tourism destinations, and production centers far from the main transportation network.
“Indonesia doesn’t need eVTOL just to move passengers from one building to another. Its greatest potential lies in its ability to optimally connect production, industrial, tourism, and underserved areas,” said Denon Prawiraatmadja.
Many industrial and natural resource areas in Indonesia are far from city centers, major airports, and land transportation networks. Travel times that currently take hours have the potential to be shortened through integrated vertical air mobility services, transporting experts, workers, healthcare services, operational needs, and even high-value goods.
“Mobility is part of productivity. When travel times can be shortened, companies can move faster, economic regions become more connected, and investment can grow more efficiently,” he pointed out
This economic ambition remains framed with caution: safety, certification, operational standards, and maintenance are key requirements before eVTOL can be used commercially, and Denon Prawiraatmadja continues to push for the foundation to be built from the operational and infrastructure stages—including an intermodal approach that connects air services with ground transportation, airports, business districts, and digital mobility platforms.
“eVTOL should not be a standalone mode. Air services must be connected with ground transportation and centers of economic activity so that users can experience an integrated journey from their starting point to their final destination,” Denon Prawiraatmadja affirmed.
He emphasized that eVTOL development should not be merely a technological trend. Its implementation must reduce travel times, expand economic access, increase business productivity, and provide tangible benefits to Indonesia. [traveltext.id]
