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67 ZLW 236 (2018)
Flight Information Region above Riau and Natuna Islands: The Indonesian Efforts to Regain Control from Singapore

handle is hein.journals/zlw67 and id is 244 raw text is: Flight Information Region above Riau and Natuna Islands The Indonesian Efforts to Regain Control from Singapore by Ridha Aditya Nugraha * Abstract At the moment, Indonesia cannot be regarded as completely 'independent' over its airspace above the Riau and Natuna islands. An ICAO decision in 1946 to delegate air navigation service above this airspace to Singaporean control is a cause of sentimental feelings by Indonesians who consider it a potential threat to national security, a cause of economic loss, and most significantly, an affront to national dignity. However, the prospect of reassignment of the so-called Natuna Flight Information Region has faced strong resistance from Singapore. No doubt the status quo favours its national inter- ests in security and income through air navigation charges which makes Singapore reluctant to advocate any change. This article shall examine the complex legal issues surrounding the potential reassignment of the Natuna Flight Information Region to Indonesian control from various perspectives, namely Indonesian national laws, the current agreement between both countries, and the Chicago Convention of 1944; in- cluding its implementation through existing legal framework and enforcement. A. What is a Flight Information Region A Flight Information Region (FIR) is an airspace of defined dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided.' It is one of the most critical elements within the aviation world. Pilots rely on its service (held by the des- ignated Air Traffic Controller or ATC) in order to ensure flight safety; while states generate income from every aircraft overflight above its FIR territory. The Chicago Convention of 19442 (hereinafter the Chicago Convention), as the magna carta of international civil aviation, has shown the importance of the estab- lishment of FIR and mapping in order to promote aviation safety. Articles 28, 37, 44, Air and Space Law Studies, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya. Alumnus International Institute of Air and Space Law, Universiteit Leiden (LL.M.). Comments could be addressed to ridha.nugraha@pmbs. ac.id. 1 ICAO Annex 2, Rules of the Air, Chapter I (Tenth Edition, July 2005). 2 Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) 15 UNTS 295. ZLW67. Jg. 2/2018