Indonesia is set to open new domestic and international flight routes to key tourism destinations as part of a joint push between the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Tourism. The initiative aims to strengthen air connectivity and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesia’s tourism sector in Southeast Asia.
Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has formally requested the Ministry of Transportation to expand air routes to priority and regenerative tourist destinations across the country. Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi responded positively, signaling full support for the plan.
“The Ministry of Transportation fully supports the development of the tourism sector through improved connectivity and transport infrastructure. We will continue to strengthen access to tourist destinations to make travel easier, safer, and more comfortable for visitors.” Dudy said in an official statement on Wednesday (October 15, 2025), as quoted by Liputan6.
New International Routes Proposed
The Ministry of Tourism has proposed direct flights from Yogyakarta International Airport to several major cities in China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and India. Other proposed international routes include:
- Silangit–Singapore and Silangit–Kuala Lumpur
- Lombok–Sydney
- Labuan Bajo–Melbourne / Perth
- Belitung–Kuala Lumpur / Singapore
- Manado–Manila
- Surabaya–Guangzhou and Shanghai
Minister Widiyanti emphasized that international air access plays a crucial role in attracting more visitors to Indonesia.
“International flight access is essential as foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia are growing rapidly. However, compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia’s position is still less optimal. We need to maximize this potential,” she said, as quoted by Investor.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), foreign tourist arrivals reached 7.05 million between January and June 2025, a 9.44% increase from 6.44 million in the same period in 2024. Despite this growth, Indonesia remains in fifth place among ASEAN countries, behind Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Widiyanti expressed her appreciation for the Ministry of Transportation’s support, especially in expanding international airport access.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Transportation’s efforts in broadening international airport access. We hope this will strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s tourist destinations,” she said.
Expanding International Airports
To support the expansion, InJourney Airports, a subsidiary of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, is preparing 30 of its airports to obtain international status. In a statement on August 25, Director of Operations Agus Haryadi said that documentation and infrastructure upgrades are currently underway to meet regulatory requirements.
Agus added that the company is not only completing the necessary paperwork and improving infrastructure to support international operations, but also working closely with key stakeholders — including Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine — to ensure a seamless transition.
The government has officially designated 36 airports as international through Ministry of Transportation Decree No. KM 37 of 2025, with 30 of them managed by InJourney Airports. Airlines are being encouraged to explore and open new international routes to these airports to strengthen connectivity.
Source: liputan6.com, investor.id
Photo Credit: Doc. Kemenhub (Ministry of Transportation)
