Indonesia Air Transport Plane Crashes in South Sulawesi

Company Background and Operations

PT Indonesia Air Transport, a charter airline established in 1968, experienced a significant incident on January 17, 2026, when its ATR 42-500 aircraft lost contact while en route from Yogyakarta to Makassar. The aircraft is believed to have crashed in the Bulusaraung Mountains, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi. The company primarily serves the oil and gas, mining, and corporate sectors with both fixed-wing and helicopter services.

Business Transformation and Ownership

In 2022, Indonesia Air Transport underwent a significant business transformation following its acquisition by Hary Tanoesoedibjo's MNC Group. The parent company changed its name from PT Indonesia Transport & Infrastructure Tbk to PT MNC Energy Investment Tbk, while maintaining its stock code IATA on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This transformation expanded the company's focus beyond charter services to include the mining sector.

Current Corporate Structure

PT MNC Energy Investment now serves as the holding company for four affiliated companies:

1. PT Indonesia Air Transport
2. PT Global Maintenance Facility
3. PT MNC Infrastruktur Utama
4. PT Bhakti Coal Resources

This restructuring has positioned the company to better serve both its aviation and energy sector clients. The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are expected as more information becomes available.