He is the current Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs in President Joko Widodo's Onward Indonesia Cabinet, appointed on 23 October 2019.

[6] Airlangga has been involved in numerous businesses, ranging from fertilizer distribution to paper packaging and construction machinery.

In his second term as a legislator in the 2009–2014 period, he chaired House Commission VI on industry, trade, investment and state-owned enterprises.

[19] In his third term as a legislator, which commenced in 2014, he served in House Commission VII on mineral resources, environment, research and technology.

[21] On 13 December 2017, he was selected to become Golkar chairman, replacing Setya Novanto, who had been arrested and put on trial for alleged corruption.

[25] Airlangga is married to Yanti K. Isfandiary and they have eight children: Adanti, Ravindra, Audi, Dines, Bianda, Latascha, Maisara and Natalie.