This has persisted for decades, largely owing to Singapore's world class aviation infrastructure, as well as its well-honed reputation for efficiency and effectiveness.
Indonesia has at times publicly questioned the existing policy by ICAO to have Singapore continue administering the Riau Islands FIR.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and some former military officials have reportedly called for or expressed their wish for Indonesia to take over the FIR over Riau Islands.
[2] This bid to take over the Riau Islands FIR has been linked to the desire to establish Indonesia as a major regional aviation player to match existing powerhouses such as Singapore, China, Thailand and Malaysia.
In response to requests from Indonesia, Singapore has over the years stuck to factual statements that said the current arrangement was made by ICAO with aviation safety as its key consideration, and that it was not unusual globally and historically for the air traffic authorities of one country to provide air traffic management services in the territorial airspace of another country.
"[12] In addition, Indonesian Airforce Commander Colonel Azhar Aditomo also claimed that the reason for expensive flights to and from the Riau Islands was because Singapore controlled the FIR.
On 25 January 2022, Indonesia and Singapore signed an agreement where both countries will seek the approval of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada to realign the Jakarta FIR with Indonesian territorial waters.
This realignment ensures that the airspace over the islands of Karimun, Batam, Bintan and Natuna, controlled by Singapore since 1946, follows the archipelaegic boundaries of Indonesia.