Komodo Drone Rules 2026: Permits, Airspace & Restrictions

26 min read~3200 words

Table of Contents

• Overview: Flying Drones at Komodo
• Indonesian Drone Law Overview
• Pilot Licensing and Registration
• Restricted Airspace Near Labuan Bajo
• BTNK Park Permit Process
• Wildlife Disturbance Rules
• No-Fly Zones in the Park
• Penalties for Violations
• Recommended Drone Models for Travel
• Insurance and Liability
• Common Mistakes by Tourists
• Myths vs Facts
• Practical Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sources

Overview: Flying Drones at Komodo

Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing 1,817 km² of islands, savannah, and marine habitat in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia — is one of the most photographed wilderness destinations in Southeast Asia. Its dramatic ridgelines on Padar Island and the electric-blue waters of Pink Beach make it an obvious target for drone photographers. However, the regulatory environment in 2026 is complex, layered, and actively enforced.

Three separate regulatory frameworks intersect at Komodo:

1. Indonesian national aviation law, principally Permenhub PM No. 37/2020, which governs all UAV operations in Indonesian airspace including altitude limits, controlled airspace restrictions, and pilot certification.
2. Ministry of Environment and Forestry regulations, specifically Permenlhk No. P.16/MENLHK/SETJEN/KKL.1/3/2018, which governs unmanned aircraft operations within conservation areas under KLHK's jurisdiction.
3. BTNK (Balai Taman Nasional Komodo) park-level rules, enforced through the SIMAKSI permit system, which set out the specific no-fly zones, wildlife protection distances, and application process that apply inside the park boundary.

A tourist arriving in Labuan Bajo with a consumer drone and no permits cannot legally fly anywhere near the park and is prohibited from operating in the Class D controlled airspace surrounding Komodo Airport (WATO/LBJ) without explicit DGCA authorization. Non-compliance has resulted in drone confiscation, fines exceeding IDR 200 million, and multi-year bans from Indonesian conservation areas.

Indonesian Drone Law Overview

The foundational instrument governing drone operations across Indonesia is Peraturan Menteri Perhubungan (Permenhub) No. PM 37 of 2020, issued by the Ministry of Transportation (Kementerian Perhubungan). It repealed the earlier PM 180/2015 and its amendment, consolidating all UAV operational rules into a single regulation. PM 37/2020 was supplemented in 2021 by:

• PM 34/2021 — Airworthiness standards for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
• PM 63/2021 — Procedures for UAV operations in Indonesian airspace.

PM 37/2020 applies to all unmanned aircraft operating in Indonesian national airspace, regardless of the operator's nationality. The key provisions relevant to visitors are:

Rule	Requirement
Maximum altitude — uncontrolled airspace	120 m above ground level (AGL) without DGCA authorization
Controlled airspace operations	Requires Director General (DGCA) approval prior to flight
Distance from airport runways	Minimum 15 km under standard operational rules
Night operations	Prohibited unless DGCA safety assessment and approval obtained
Visual line of sight (VLOS)	Mandatory for all operations without BVLOS authorization
Minimum visibility	4.8 km horizontal; clouds at least 150 m vertical / 600 m horizontal
Minimum age of operator	18 years
Prohibited areas	Camera drones must stay 500 m from prohibited/restricted airspace boundaries

In addition, Government Regulation (PP) No. 4 of 2018 on Airspace Security designates prohibited and restricted airspace around strategic sites (presidential palaces, military installations, nuclear facilities) with administrative fines up to IDR 5 billion for unauthorized operations. Komodo Airport and its surroundings fall under AirNav Indonesia's Ujung Pandang Flight Information Region (FIR).

A significant 2024 update: PP No. 36/2024 established a national tariff structure for drone flight fees within all Indonesian conservation areas (national parks, nature tourism parks, wildlife reserves, hunting parks), applying uniformly to Komodo National Park, Gunung Rinjani, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru, and others. This regulation replaced a patchwork of park-by-park fee schedules and is the current fee baseline.

Pilot Licensing and Registration

Indonesian drone regulations distinguish between recreational and commercial operations, with different licensing requirements for each category. Under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 107 framework, commercial operators — including journalists and documentary filmmakers — require a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while purely recreational hobbyists are subject to operational rules but do not currently require a formal pilot licence.

Indonesia distinguishes between recreational and commercial/documentary drone operations. The requirements differ significantly.

Recreational Operators (Hobbyists)

For purely personal recreational flying (not for hire, not for publication), Indonesian law does not currently mandate a pilot license for foreign visitors. However, all applicable operational rules — altitude limits, airspace restrictions, VLOS, daylight-only — still apply. Drones below 250 g do not require registration under the SIPP-TA system for recreational use in most provinces (note: Bali imposed a stricter local directive in January 2025).

Commercial and Documentary Operators

Operators flying for commercial gain, client delivery, publication, or broadcast must hold an Indonesian Remote Pilot Certificate (known as Sertifikasi Pilot Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak). This certification is issued through the Directorate of Airworthiness and Aircraft Operations (DKPPU) under the Ministry of Transportation, via approved certifying bodies:

• APDI (Asosiasi Pilot Drone Indonesia) — established 2016, first certified body.
• FDI (Federasi Drone Indonesia) — established 2018.
• FASI (Federasi Aerosport Indonesia) — under TNI AU oversight.
• Drone Edutech — holds UASTC-001 authorization from DKPPU; accepts online applications via SIDOPI GO.

The remote pilot certificate is valid for 2 years. The certification process includes theoretical examination on the 12 Aeronautical Knowledge standards and a practical flight test in ATTI mode (GPS disabled). The SIDOPI (Sistem Informasi Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak) online portal currently requires an Indonesian national ID (KTP) for registration, which creates a practical barrier for foreign nationals. Foreign visitors seeking commercial operations should contact DKPPU directly at the Ministry of Transportation before travel, as special arrangements may be available.

Drone Registration (SIPP-TA)

Drones weighing 250 g to 25 kg must be registered through the SIPP-TA system. Registration is valid for 3 years. The drone serial number, weight, and specifications are submitted along with passport or KTP information. Processing takes 3–5 business days. The registration certificate is one of the mandatory documents for the BTNK park permit.

Restricted Airspace Near Labuan Bajo

Komodo International Airport (ICAO: WATO, IATA: LBJ), located at the western tip of Flores Island adjacent to Labuan Bajo town, is the primary gateway to Komodo National Park. The airport was officially granted international status on 2 April 2024 and commenced international services to Kuala Lumpur in September 2024. It operates under the Ujung Pandang Flight Information Region (FIR) managed by AirNav Indonesia.

The airport has Class D controlled airspace (CTR — Control Zone) that begins at the surface. Drone operations in Class D controlled airspace require prior written authorization from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under PM 37/2020. Without this authorization, drone flight of any type — regardless of drone size or altitude — is illegal within the CTR.

Under Indonesia's standard operational rules, drones must remain at least 15 km from airport runways. Given that Labuan Bajo town, its harbor, and much of the tourist accommodation strip all fall within this exclusion zone, a visitor launching a drone from their hotel terrace, from the harbor, or from a boat at anchor in Labuan Bajo Bay is likely operating in violation of PM 37/2020 unless they hold explicit DGCA authorization.

To obtain DGCA authorization for controlled airspace near WATO:

1. Submit a flight plan to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) through the official channels at hubud.dephub.go.id and coordinate with AirNav Indonesia.
2. Obtain a safety assessment from LPPNPI (AirNav Indonesia) Denpasar branch.
3. Receive written authorization before commencing any flight in controlled airspace.

BTNK Park Permit Process

Flying within the boundaries of Komodo National Park — regardless of airspace class — requires a separate permit from the park managing authority: Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK). This is the park permit (SIMAKSI drone authorization) and is distinct from the DGCA airspace authorization.

The permit is required for all drones above 250 g, for both personal tourism documentation and commercial production. BTNK prohibits drone operations without this permit under four governing regulations: Permenlhk P.16/MENLHK/2018, Permenhub PM 37/2020, PM 34/2021, and PM 63/2021.

Application Methods

Online (preferred): Apply through the SIORA platform at siora.id. Select "Service" then "Special Permit (Videography/Drone)." Verify your email, complete the application form, and upload all required documents. The SIORA app is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

In person: Visit the Kantor Balai Taman Nasional Komodo at Jl. Kasimo, Labuan Bajo, Kabupaten Manggarai Barat, Flores, NTT 86754. Email: [email protected].

Required Documents

• Written application letter (template available on the official BTNK website)
• Copy of the detailed flight plan (location, altitude, dates, duration)
• Safety assessment recommendation from LPPNI (AirNav Indonesia) Denpasar branch
• Copy of drone registration certificate (Ministry of Transportation / DKPPU)
• Copy of Remote Pilot Certificate (pilot license from DKPPU)
• Copy of flight authorization from the Ministry of Transportation Directorate of Air Navigation
• Copy of drone accident insurance policy
• One IDR 10,000 tax stamp (materai)
• Valid passport (copy)

Timeline

Submit at least 7 working days before your intended flight date. BTNK processing typically takes 3 working days. Incomplete applications cause delays or rejection. Once approved, pay the drone operation fee through the SIORA app and retain the confirmation document as proof.

Fees (PP No. 36/2024)

Under Government Regulation PP No. 36/2024, the standardized national park drone fee schedule is:

Fee Type	Rate
Drone flight fee	IDR 2,000,000 per unit per day
Photography/videography surcharge	IDR 300,000 per unit per day
Estimated total (1 drone, 1 day, documentary)	IDR 2,300,000 (~USD 140)

Note: Some operators and sources report BTNK-specific totals ranging from IDR 1,000,000 to IDR 5,000,000 depending on permit category and duration. Fees are charged per drone per day regardless of actual flight time. No pro-rata rates apply. Contact BTNK directly to confirm the current fee at time of application, as park-level administration may charge additional processing fees.

Payment is made through the SIORA app via an Indonesian bank virtual account. Tour operators and liveaboard companies may assist with permit applications but note that drone fees are not included in standard trip costs — they are paid separately by the drone operator.

Wildlife Disturbance Rules

Komodo National Park protects approximately 5,700 Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), the world's largest living lizard species. The marine zone is one of the richest in the Coral Triangle, supporting manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, and over 1,000 fish species. The park's terrestrial areas host large fruit bat colonies at Pulau Kalong and extensive seabird nesting grounds throughout the island chain.

Drone noise and visual presence constitute a documented disturbance vector for all of these species:

• Komodo dragons: Low-altitude drone overflights have caused defensive threat displays and flight responses in observed dragons. Rangers at Loh Liang and Loh Buaya report that drones hovering near dragon aggregation areas disrupt natural behavior, increase stress responses, and create unpredictable animal movement that creates safety risks for other visitors. BTNK prohibits drone flight over both ranger station areas for this reason.
• Fruit bats (Pteropus vampyrus), Pulau Kalong: Pulau Kalong (Bat Island) hosts one of the largest fruit bat colonies in the region, used as a nocturnal roost. Drone intrusion — especially near dusk when bats emerge — triggers mass flushing events that disrupt feeding ecology and cause colony stress. BTNK has classified this island as a permanent no-fly zone for drones.
• Manta rays: Manta Point (between Komodo and Rinca Islands) is a known cleaning station for reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi). Although no publicly published numeric minimum altitude rule for drones over manta aggregations has been found in BTNK documentation as of May 2026, general Indonesian conservation principles prohibit any disturbance to protected marine species. Manta rays are listed under Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 4/2014 as fully protected species. Operating a drone directly over manta ray aggregations without a permit and without ranger coordination is considered a violation of wildlife protection regulations.
• Nesting birds: Multiple species of frigatebirds, boobies, and herons nest on islands throughout the park. BTNK explicitly prohibits drone flight over protected bird habitat areas as listed in the SIMAKSI permit conditions.

The broader principle applied by BTNK: any drone operation that causes visible behavioral change in wildlife is considered a disturbance and may result in immediate permit revocation, even if the operator holds a valid SIMAKSI permit.

No-Fly Zones in the Park

Komodo National Park contains several permanently restricted zones where drone flight is prohibited regardless of permit status. These include the Pulau Kalong bat colony near Rinca Island, the Loh Buaya and Loh Liang ranger stations where dragon aggregations create safety and disturbance concerns, and airspace within 5 km of Komodo Airport (LBJ), which falls under standard aviation exclusion rules.

The following zones are permanently prohibited for drone flight, even with a valid SIMAKSI permit:

Zone	Island	Reason
Pulau Kalong (Bat Island)	Near Rinca	Large fruit bat colony; permanent exclusion for noise and light sensitivity
Resort Loh Buaya	Rinca Island	Dragon aggregation area; protected bird habitat; visitor safety
Resort Loh Liang	Komodo Island	Dragon aggregation area; protected bird habitat; visitor safety
All core protection zones	Park-wide	Highest-level conservation designation; no tourist activity permitted
Pink Beach (Pantai Merah)	Komodo Island	Protected coastal zone; noise and disturbance restrictions
Komodo Island (general)	Komodo Island	Dragon habitat; wildlife protection priority area

Areas where drone permits may be approved (subject to SIMAKSI authorization): Padar Island viewpoints, Kelor Island, Kanawa Island, and certain uninhabited smaller islands within the park. Rangers on Padar Island are authorized to request proof of SIMAKSI and flight authorization at the summit before allowing drone launch. A map of permitted zones is provided to operators during the permit briefing at the BTNK office.

Penalties for Violations

Drone violations in Komodo National Park are treated under a combination of aviation law and conservation law. Penalties are not merely administrative — they can be criminal:

Violation	Applicable Law	Penalty
Flying without SIMAKSI permit in national park	Permenlhk P.16/MENLHK/2018; Conservation Law No. 5/1990	Drone confiscation; expulsion from park; fines up to IDR 500 million
Unauthorized flight in controlled airspace (Class D near WATO)	PM 37/2020; Aviation Law No. 1/2009	Fines up to IDR 5 million; up to 3 years imprisonment for endangering aircraft
Operating in a prohibited security airspace zone	PP No. 4/2018 on Airspace Security	Administrative fines up to IDR 5 billion
Disturbing protected wildlife (Komodo dragon, manta ray)	Conservation Law No. 5/1990; Marine Fisheries Reg. 4/2014	Criminal prosecution; fines up to IDR 100 million; 5 years imprisonment
Night flying without authorization	PM 37/2020	Permit suspension; fines
Repeat or deliberate violations in conservation areas	Multiple regulations	Multi-year ban from all Indonesian conservation areas

A documented enforcement case from March 2024 illustrates the severity of enforcement: a foreign photographer flew a drone without permits over a coral reef in West Bali National Park (not Komodo, but same legal framework). Rangers located the operator within 12 minutes. The outcome: drone confiscated on-site, IDR 280 million in fines, and a five-year ban from all Indonesian conservation areas. The same enforcement capacity exists at Komodo — park rangers and marine patrol vessels regularly check boats and drone operators.

Recommended Drone Models for Travel

The best travel drones for Komodo balance portability, image quality, and regulatory compliance. The key metric for Indonesian conservation permits is weight — drones above 250 g require registration; the BTNK permit applies to all drones above 250 g.

Model	Weight	Notes for Komodo
DJI Mini 4 Pro	249 g	Under 250 g — registration not required for recreational use; BTNK permit still required inside the park for documentation. Excellent for travel.
DJI Air 3	720 g	Requires registration; strong imaging capability; heavier kit is still manageable for liveaboard travel.
DJI Mavic 3 Classic	749 g	Professional-grade Hasselblad optics; suitable for commercial permit holders; requires full documentation.
DJI Mini 3	249 g	Sub-250 g; good wind resistance for coastal conditions; suitable for casual travel photography with BTNK permit.
Autel Evo Nano+	249 g	Sub-250 g; viable alternative to DJI; same permit framework applies.

Practical note on the 249 g category: While sub-250 g drones avoid SIPP-TA registration requirements in most of Indonesia, they do not avoid the BTNK park permit requirement. The BTNK permit is required for any drone documentation inside the park regardless of weight. The 249 g design threshold primarily reduces the pre-permit preparation burden (no formal registration step), not the park-level permit obligation.

Insurance and Liability

Drone accident insurance is not optional for Komodo — it is a mandatory document for the BTNK permit application. Without a copy of the policy, your application will be rejected.

What Your Drone Insurance Must Cover

• Third-party liability: If your drone strikes a person, vessel, or wildlife, liability can be significant. Conservation area incidents can trigger environmental damage claims under Indonesian law. Minimum recommended third-party coverage: USD 100,000.
• Hull coverage: The Komodo environment — strong coastal winds, humid salt air, low-visibility conditions near waterfalls and cliff faces — is demanding. Hull loss coverage protects your equipment investment.
• Confiscation coverage: Some specialist drone policies include coverage for government confiscation. Verify whether this applies before travel.

Recommended Providers

• Coverdrone — specialist drone insurance; available to international operators; policies accepted by Indonesian park authorities.
• Velos Insurance — commercial UAV coverage; suitable for professional operators.
• World Nomads — travel insurance with drone equipment add-on; does not always include third-party liability for conservation areas — verify coverage terms.
• Local Indonesian insurers: Some Indonesian insurance companies (Jasindo, Tugu Pratama) offer UAV policies accepted domestically. Your tour operator may assist with arranging local coverage.

Note that standard travel insurance policies rarely include drone third-party liability. Do not rely on your travel insurer for drone-specific coverage without explicit written confirmation.

Common Mistakes by Tourists

• Assuming sub-250 g drones need no permits inside the park. The 250 g threshold determines registration requirements, not park permit requirements. Every drone used for documentation inside Komodo National Park requires SIMAKSI authorization — weight is irrelevant to this rule.
• Launching from a liveaboard boat inside the park without a permit. The park boundary extends into the marine zone. Launching from a boat anchored in Komodo waters is subject to the same rules as launching from land. Marine patrol vessels regularly conduct checks.
• Applying too late. The SIMAKSI permit requires documents that themselves take weeks to obtain (drone registration, LPPNI safety assessment, DGCA flight authorization). Visitors who begin the process the week before travel will almost certainly not complete it in time.
• Applying only to BTNK and ignoring DGCA airspace authorization. A SIMAKSI permit from BTNK does not authorize flight in controlled airspace near Komodo Airport. Both permits are required if your flight area overlaps with the WATO CTR.
• Flying at Padar without showing documentation to rangers. Rangers at the Padar Island summit are authorized to demand proof of SIMAKSI. Visitors who have a permit but do not carry it will be asked to land immediately.
• Believing verbal permission from a tour guide is sufficient. A tour guide or boat captain cannot authorize drone flights in the park or in controlled airspace. Only the relevant government authorities can issue the required permits.
• Flying over dragon aggregation areas for "just a quick shot." The no-fly zones at Loh Liang and Loh Buaya are absolute — no permit category overrides them. Rangers have confiscated drones from permit holders who flew over these areas.
• Ignoring wind conditions. Komodo's geographical setting — a narrow channel between Sumbawa and Flores — creates notoriously strong and variable winds, particularly on Padar's ridgelines. Consumer drones have been lost to wind in this area. Check wind speed and direction before any flight; do not fly in conditions exceeding your drone's rated wind resistance.

Myths vs Facts

Myth	Fact
"I can fly anywhere in the park if I stay under 50 m."	False. Altitude has no bearing on the SIMAKSI permit requirement. Flying at any altitude inside the park without a permit is illegal. The 120 m ceiling is a general airspace rule, not a permit exemption.
"My drone is under 250 g so I don't need any permits."	False. Sub-250 g drones avoid SIPP-TA registration requirements, but the BTNK SIMAKSI permit is still required inside the park for any documentation drone use, regardless of weight.
"Tour operators sort out all drone paperwork for you."	Partly true, with caveats. Some operators assist with SIMAKSI applications; however, the drone fee is always paid separately by the operator, and the underlying DGCA documentation (registration, pilot certificate, airspace authorization) must be obtained by the drone operator, not the tour company.
"Indonesia doesn't really enforce drone rules in remote areas."	False. Enforcement has intensified since 2023. Rangers and marine patrols actively check boats and visitors. A 2024 enforcement case in West Bali National Park resulted in IDR 280 million in fines and a 5-year conservation area ban — demonstrating that remote location provides no protection from enforcement.
"As a tourist, I'm not subject to Indonesia's commercial pilot license rules."	Partly false. Recreational tourists are exempt from pilot license requirements. However, anyone creating footage for commercial use, stock footage sales, client delivery, or publication — even an Instagram post where the drone operator has any commercial relationship — is subject to commercial operator requirements under PM 37/2020.
"Drone flying is banned entirely in Komodo National Park."	False. Drone flights with the full permit package (SIMAKSI + DGCA documents) are allowed in designated areas including Padar Island, Kelor Island, and Kanawa Island. The park is not a blanket no-fly zone — it is a permit-required zone with specific geographic restrictions.
"Komodo Airport is called DRK."	False. The IATA code is LBJ (Labuan Bajo). The ICAO code is WATO. "DRK" does not correspond to any active IATA or ICAO code for this airport. Ensure you reference correct codes when filing flight notifications or checking airspace data.

Practical Takeaways

• Start the permit process at least 4–6 weeks before travel. Drone registration, pilot certification, LPPNI safety assessment, DGCA authorization, and BTNK SIMAKSI application each have separate processing timelines. They cannot all be completed in a week.
• Contact BTNK before travel to confirm current fee schedule and accepted documents. Email [email protected] with your intended dates and equipment. Fees and documentation requirements have changed in 2024 and may change again.
• If in doubt, hire a licensed local drone operator. Labuan Bajo-based production companies hold all required Indonesian permits and are familiar with park restrictions. This is the legally safest option for commercial productions.
• Always carry physical proof of all permits. Download and print SIMAKSI approval, SIORA payment confirmation, and DGCA authorization. Phone battery and signal in the park are unreliable.
• Never fly over or near wildlife, regardless of altitude. Any behavioral disruption constitutes a violation. If wildlife moves toward your drone or visibly reacts, land immediately.
• Respect Padar's wind conditions. The Rinca Strait creates strong funneled winds along Padar's ridge. Assess conditions before launch and keep your drone within controlled range at all times.
• The SIORA app is the official payment system. Do not pay permit fees in cash to individuals claiming to be park representatives outside the official office or app system. Scams targeting drone permit applicants exist in tourist areas of Labuan Bajo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to fly a drone in Komodo National Park?

Yes. Flying any drone (above 250 g) inside Komodo National Park requires a SIMAKSI drone permit from BTNK. You also need a prior DGCA flight authorization under Permenhub PM 37/2020 for controlled airspace near Labuan Bajo. Applying without a permit risks drone confiscation, fines, and a ban from all Indonesian conservation areas.

How do I apply for the BTNK drone permit?

Apply through the SIORA app (siora.id) or in person at the Balai Taman Nasional Komodo office on Jl. Kasimo, Labuan Bajo. Submit at least 7 days before your intended flight date. Required documents include a passport copy, drone pilot license, drone registration certificate, accident insurance policy, flight plan, and a safety assessment recommendation from LPPNI Denpasar.

How much does the Komodo drone permit cost?

Under Government Regulation PP No. 36/2024, the standard drone flight fee in Indonesian national parks is IDR 2,000,000 per unit per day, plus IDR 300,000 per day for photography/videography. Some operators report the Komodo-specific total ranging from IDR 1,000,000 to IDR 5,000,000 depending on permit type and duration. Contact BTNK directly at [email protected] for the current confirmed fee schedule.

Can I fly a drone near Komodo Airport (LBJ)?

No, not without authorization. Komodo International Airport (ICAO: WATO, IATA: LBJ) has Class D controlled airspace. Indonesia's PM 37/2020 prohibits drone flight in controlled airspace without prior Director General approval. Standard rules require drones to stay at least 15 km from airport runways. Any flight closer requires explicit DGCA/AirNav authorization.

What are the no-fly zones inside Komodo National Park?

Even with a valid SIMAKSI permit, drones are prohibited over: Pulau Kalong (bat island) due to fruit bat sensitivity; Resort Loh Buaya on Rinca Island; Resort Loh Liang on Komodo Island; and all core protection zones. The best permitted areas for drone flights are Padar Island, Kelor Island, Kanawa Island, and uninhabited smaller islands — subject to permit approval.

Can tourists fly drones commercially in Indonesia?

Commercial drone operations in Indonesia legally require an Indonesian Remote Pilot Certificate (Sertifikasi Pilot Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak). This certificate is normally available to Indonesian nationals. Foreign nationals seeking commercial operations should contact DKPPU or accredited training centers such as APDI directly, as special arrangements may be required.

What happens if I fly a drone without a permit in Komodo National Park?

Penalties include immediate confiscation of your drone, fines up to IDR 500 million under Indonesia's Aviation Law, possible imprisonment of up to 3 years for endangering aircraft, a ban from all Indonesian conservation areas, and activity suspension. Rangers and marine patrols are authorized to request SIMAKSI documentation on the spot.

Is drone insurance required for Komodo National Park?

Yes. A copy of the drone's accident insurance policy is a mandatory document for the BTNK drone permit application. Without it, your application will be rejected. Third-party liability coverage is strongly recommended, as incidents causing injury or property damage in a conservation area can result in significant legal and financial liability.

Sources

1. Balai Taman Nasional Komodo (BTNK). Surat Izin Terbang Drone (Drone Flight Permit Page). tnkomodo.ksdae.kehutanan.go.id. Accessed May 2026.
2. Kementerian Perhubungan. Peraturan Menteri Perhubungan No. PM 37 Tahun 2020 tentang Pengoperasian Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak di Ruang Udara yang Dilayani Indonesia. jdih.dephub.go.id.
3. Terra Drone Indonesia. Regulasi Drone: PM 37/2020. terra-drone.co.id. Accessed May 2026.
4. IndonesiaJuara. Drone Usage Terms and Conditions with SIMAKSI at Komodo National Park 2026. indonesiajuara.asia. Accessed May 2026.
5. Labuan Bajo Productions. Drone Regulations & Flight Permits in Labuan Bajo & Komodo National Park. labuanbajoproductions.com. Accessed May 2026.
6. Kelas Belajar GIS. Himbauan Terkait Penggunaan Drone di Kawasan Konservasi Berdasarkan PP No. 36 Tahun 2024. kelasbelajargis.com. Accessed May 2026.
7. Call of the World. How to Get a Drone Permit for Komodo National Park. calloftheworld.com. Accessed May 2026.
8. Komodo Padar Tour. Drone Usage Terms and Conditions at Komodo National Park 2026. komodopadartour.com. Accessed May 2026.
9. Drone-laws.com. Indonesia Drone Laws 2026. drone-laws.com. Accessed May 2026.
10. Federasi Drone Indonesia. Sertifikasi Tingkat Dasar — Pilot Drone Indonesia. online.federasidrone.com. Accessed May 2026.
11. Wikipedia. Komodo Airport. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_Airport. Accessed May 2026.
12. Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan. Peraturan Menteri No. 4/PERMEN-KP/2014 tentang Larangan Penangkapan Ikan Pari Manta. Jakarta: KKPRI.