Drone use in Komodo National Park requires SIMAKSI beyond SIPP-TA

Labuan Bajo — — Registering a drone with Indonesia’s civil aviation system does not in itself authorize flights inside Komodo National Park. National registration through SIPP-TA covers the aircraft and operator under aviation rules, while drone use in the park requires a separate SIMAKSI conservation-area permit according to multiple 2026 guides to Komodo drone regulations.

The distinction affects visitors carrying drones on liveaboards, day trips and filming assignments. A standard park entry booking through the SiOra platform does not replace the dedicated conservation permit, and operators stress that flying without SIMAKSI can lead to confiscation of equipment or refusal of access to flight locations inside the park.

What national registration covers

SIPP-TA (Sistem Informasi Pesawat Udara Tanpa Awak) is Indonesia’s national drone registration system managed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and accessed via portals such as SIPUDI and SIDOPI-GO. Guides for foreign visitors describe an online process in which applicants upload a passport copy, the drone’s serial number, weight and technical specifications as part of the registration.

Recent tourist-focused briefings report processing times of around three to five working days, with basic recreational registration free of charge and valid for three years after approval. They also state that registration is required for drones weighing from 250 grams upward, including popular consumer models that may be treated differently in other jurisdictions.

Key national-registration points reported by independent guides include:

• Application via SIPP-TA using DGCA portals such as SIPUDI and SIDOPI-GO.
• Typical processing time of three to five working days.
• Recreational registration validity of three years.
• Registration required for drones from 250 grams and above.

These requirements address the legality of the aircraft and its operator under Indonesian aviation law. They do not automatically grant permission to fly over every area of the country, particularly protected sites such as Komodo National Park.

SIMAKSI: the additional permit for Komodo

Komodo National Park lies within Indonesia’s conservation estate and is subject to its own permit system. SIMAKSI (Surat Izin Masuk Kawasan Konservasi) is described in park-focused guidance as the conservation-area entry permit for activities beyond standard tourism, including drone operations, research and commercial filming.

Several Komodo-specific guides state that any drone flight inside park boundaries requires a SIMAKSI permit, regardless of drone size or whether the use is recreational or commercial. SIMAKSI is issued by the national park office under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and applications are submitted either through the SiOra website or via park administration offices in Labuan Bajo.

Public explanations of the process advise visitors to prepare passport copies, drone specifications, a flight plan with locations and dates, and a short statement of purpose. Commercial shoots generally add sponsor or production letters, insurance documentation and proof of any pilot certification.

Lead-time estimates vary among operators. Some Komodo permit guides advise allowing at least one to two weeks for approval, while others cite approximately 30 days and fees in the range of several million rupiah per permit. The fee is not included in standard park entry tickets and is treated as a separate conservation permit cost.

Different rules for different uses

National-level summaries distinguish recreational drone flights from commercial operations. Recreational visitors flying drones below two kilograms are generally depicted as exempt from holding an Indonesian remote-pilot licence, although they must still complete SIPP-TA registration and follow local airspace and safety restrictions.

Commercial work—such as paid, sponsored or brand-related filming—is described as subject to additional conditions. Guides note that commercial operators are expected to hold an Indonesian remote-pilot certificate or formal authorization from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and foreign production teams may need to partner with an Indonesian company or obtain special approval.

National operating rules highlighted in tourist briefings include daylight-only flights, no operations in poor weather, and minimum separation distances from airport runways. Some provincial guidance, particularly for Bali, mentions further local restrictions and substantial penalties for unauthorized flights, underscoring that national registration does not override local or conservation rules.

Practical steps for travellers

Travel guides recommend completing SIPP-TA registration well before departure, allowing at least several working days for approval and carrying documentation in both digital and printed form. Before launching a drone anywhere inside Komodo National Park, visitors are advised to apply for SIMAKSI through the official channels, obtain written approval, and keep the permit and payment receipts available for inspection by rangers on key sites such as Padar and the Komodo dragon viewing areas.

Operators also caution against relying solely on informal assurances from boat crews or tour companies. A statement that a drone is “registered” under national aviation rules does not establish that the separate SIMAKSI conservation permit and any associated park fees have been obtained. Travellers are advised to confirm the permit status directly and to treat import, registration and flight permissions as separate regulatory steps.

Sources

• Geokepo — Terbang Drone di Indonesia 2026: Registrasi SIPP-TA, Zona ...
• Komodo Guide — Komodo Drone Rules 2026: Permits, Airspace & Restrictions
• KomodoTrip — Flying a Drone in Komodo National Park: SIMAKSI Permit Guide 2026
• Master Liveaboards — Drone Operator Requirements (Komodo)
• Your Happiness Tours — Bali Drone Laws 2026
• Alongwalker Indonesia — Cara Urus Simaksi untuk Izin Terbangkan Drone di TN Komodo
• KomodoLuxury — Komodo National Park Entry Permit 2027: Quota & Ticket
• Komodo National Park Ticket — Drone Permit Komodo National Park 2026 — SIMAKSI
• Labuan Bajo Komodo — Drone Rules in Komodo National Park & Labuan Bajo
• Labuan Bajo Productions — Drone Regulations & Flight Permits in Labuan Bajo & Komodo