When Capt. Rendra Darmakusuma first stepped into the cockpit; he wasn’t thinking about building a company. He was chasing a lifelong fascination with how aviation connects people, opportunities, and businesses. Those years flying private jets gave him more than technical skills. They gave him a front-row seat to what passengers valued most: reliability, safety, and the kind of service that made every journey seamless.
By 2012, Rendra saw a gap. Indonesia was growing fast, but private aviation hadn’t caught up. Clients searching for trusted operators often faced limited options and uncertainty around standards. That was the moment he founded CeoJetset, with a simple but ambitious vision: to deliver safe, reliable, and deeply personalized private aviation in a market that needed it.
“It wasn’t just about flying—it’s about creating seamless access, saving time, and enabling executives to focus on their goals,” Rendra explains.
Building trust in a complex market
Launching as an operator in Indonesia was no easy feat. Regulations were strict, infrastructure uneven, and the vast geography of more than 17,000 islands posed logistical challenges. Educating the market about the value of private aviation demanded patience and persistence.
“Indonesia is a unique market. Regulatory processes, infrastructure limitations, and the sheer geographical spread of the archipelago were all challenges. Educating the market about the benefits of private aviation and earning trust required persistence,” he says.
Yet these hurdles shaped the very core of the company. CeoJetset combined international safety standards with local insight, tailoring services to cultural preferences like family-focused travel. This mix of compliance, operational discipline, and understanding of regional needs became its trademark.
CeoJetset today
More than a decade later, CeoJetset has grown into one of Indonesia’s most respected private jet operators. Today, CeoJetset operates a growing fleet of aircraft, ranging from mid-size jets to long-range options, and manages both domestic and international flights, serving business leaders, officials, and private individuals.
But what sets the company apart is its ability to balance global standards with local understanding.
“We combine international safety standards with deep local expertise. We constantly nurture our vision with customer experience, both on the ground and in the sky. Our clients appreciate that we not only deliver operational excellence but also understand the cultural nuances and unique demands of flying within and out of Indonesia. Combining pilot-driven insight, strict compliance, and local expertise, clients know they can trust us to deliver what we promise.”
Turning point: Connecting to the world
As demand for private aviation surged in the wake of the pandemic, CeoJetset looked outward. The company joined Avinode Marketplace in 2021 to connect with international brokers and clients.
That move opened doors. “Avinode has streamlined our sales process, reduced response times, and allowed us to connect with clients we might not have reached otherwise,” Rendra says.
Today, most of CeoJetset’s trips are booked through Avinode. The success has been so strong that the company plans to expand its fleet on the platform. Currently, CeoJetset operates four aircraft, serving both domestic and international demand. One of their first Avinode connections became a repeat international customer, proof that global visibility can translate into lasting partnerships.
Looking ahead
The next chapter for CeoJetset is ambitious.
“We plan to expand our fleet with more long-range aircraft, enhance our operational base, and continue developing our international presence,” Rendra explains. “We’re adding more aircraft, securing additional licenses so we can serve more of the market, and moving into other aviation business lines. The goal is to be a one-stop solution for private aviation in the region.”
Expansion plans go beyond Indonesia. “We’re considering new aircraft acquisitions and the possibility of setting up bases in neighboring countries to strengthen our regional presence,” he adds.
Rendra also sees clear trends shaping demand. “Long-range international travel is growing, especially to destinations in the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Domestically, demand will continue for island-to-island connectivity for both business and leisure.”
CeoJetset is also preparing for the future of aviation. “AI-driven flight optimization, and sustainable aviation technologies like SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). We are excited to integrate these into our operations in the near future.”
Advice for others
Asked what advice he would share with new operators, Rendra’s response is immediate:
“Safety, reliability, and transparency must come before anything else. And don’t cut corners.”
It’s a principle that has carried CeoJetset from a bold idea in 2012 to a trusted operator with an international reputation, proof that in aviation, trust really does take you further
More about CeoJetset
Founded in 2012 by Capt. Rendra Darmakusuma, CeoJetset is a Jakarta-based private jet operator serving both domestic and international markets. The company currently operates a fleet of four business jets, offering services that combine international safety standards with local expertise.