Indonesia's Smart Aviation (Indonesia) (Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta) is planning to add a Cessna 408F SkyCourier to its fleet of three Cessna (single turboprop) 208 Grand Caravans, the airline said on its website.
Smart Aviation launched in 2018 with the three Cessna 208s and provides aerial photography, medevac, cargo, and passenger charter across Indonesia. Its main base is at Smart Aviation's-owned airport in Semelagi in West Borneo. The airline is promoting the use of the airport, which it opened in March 2019, as a temporary facility until a larger airport in Singkawang opens.
The Indonesian government has recently earmarked ID4.3 trillion rupiahs (USD306 million) for the construction and operation of the new airport. According to the Jakarta Post, the airport is due to be constructed as a public-private partnership with the opening planned in 2023.
The 408 SkyCourier is a twin-turboprop high-wing aircraft seating up to 19 passengers currently under development by Textron Aviation (Wichita Cessna Aircraft Field). The first flight of the type was originally planned for 2019 but has yet to happen.
