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Investor Daily - Status Bandara Internasional Bertambah
29 April 2025
By Ichsan Amin
Jakarta, ID – The decision by the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) to reopen international flight routes at three airports—Semarang, Palembang, and Bangka Belitung—presents both challenges and opportunities for local governments to maximise their regional potential.
The government has reinstated international flight status at Ahmad Yani Airport (Semarang), Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (Palembang), and Hanandjoeddin Airport (Bangka Belitung).
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, several airports in Indonesia had their international status revoked due to a decline in international flights. Last year, the government added international status to 17 airports in Indonesia, bringing the total number of international airports in the country to 20.
Independent aviation analyst Gatot Rahardjo views the addition of international status to these three airports, based on Minister of Transportatiob Decree No. 26 of 2025 issued on 25 April 2025, as a positive signal for local governments. It means regions are given the opportunity to attract international airlines based on their local appeal.
However, Gatot noted that international flight routes are still dominated by Indonesian passengers. "Looking at last year's data (2025), there were seven million international passengers, but five million were Indonesians travelling abroad. The challenge is how regions can attract foreign passengers, not the other way around," Gatot told Investor Daily in Jakarta, Monday (28/4/2025).
On the other hand, the national aviation condition is also stagnant due to external factors such as the high exchange rate of the US dollar against the rupiah, nearing Rp17,000, and the impact of US tariff policies. "We must ensure that Indonesians are not travelling abroad more for leisure, business, pilgrimage, or education. Instead, regional attractions should be the trigger for foreign tourists to visit Indonesia," he explained.
Gatot emphasised that the addition of international status must be guaranteed by local governments. He argued that adding international status to airports without international flights is futile. "If an airport has international status but no international flights, it just adds costs for both the airport operator and related stakeholders like AirNav," he concluded.
Boosting regional growth
Meanwhile, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said that the reinstatement of international status at Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang will positively impact the province's economic growth and the national level.
"International status is strategic for Central Java as it will facilitate investment and increase foreign tourist visits," said Ahmad Luthfi, as quoted by Antara.
He noted that efforts to reinstate international status at the Semarang airport have been made repeatedly through letters of request to the Ministry of Transportation. The last request was sent on 8 April 2025, before finally being responded to by the Minister of Transportion. Coordination has also been ongoing with AirNav’s Semarang branch.
He added that communication with airlines to serve international flights has also been conducted, particularly for destinations to Malaysia and Singapore. "The presence of this international airport is expected to boost the welfare of Central Java residents," he concluded.
The Belitung Regency Tourism Office, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, welcomed the reinstatement of international status at HAS Hanandjoeddin Airport by the Ministry of Transportion. They said that the reinstatement opens opportunities for direct flights from abroad.
"We hope that with the reinstatement of international status, it will open opportunities for direct flights from neighbouring countries or other countries," they concluded.
Preparing infrastructure
Separately, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports) is preparing the three airports to serve international routes. InJourney Airports CEO Faik Fahmi said that coordination has been carried out at the three international-status airports: Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in Palembang, Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, and HAS Hanandjoeddin Airport in Belitung, to resume serving international routes.
"Preparations are underway, especially in meeting the main requirements for an airport to serve international flights, such as having units or personnel for customs, immigration, and quarantine activities. Coordination is also being done to ensure security, safety, and service aspects," said Faik Fahmi.
Regarding which international routes will be opened, discussions are still ongoing with airlines. According to Faik, the designation of international status by the Minister of Transportion aims to support economic growth, tourism development, and increased investment and trade.
"InJourney Airports, together with airlines, are discussing international routes to be operated soon to achieve these goals. Information on which international routes will be provided shortly," explained Faik Fahmi.
Faik added that improving service and operational standards at the three airports will also be carried out in line with the transformation being implemented by InJourney Airports on three pillars: premises (global standard infrastructure and facilities), people (global quality personnel services), and process (ecosystem-based operations), all supported by technology as an enabler.
Meanwhile, InJourney Airports Operations Director Wendo Asrul Rose said that, in general, the three airports already have all the necessary resources to serve international routes.
"The three airports previously served international routes, so they already have the facilities, infrastructure, and personnel who understand the operations and services related to international flights. Rooms for customs, immigration, and quarantine activities are also available," said Wendo.
Coordination is being carried out with other stakeholders for processes and various other matters, including flight approval processes for international flights.
Regarding facilities and services at the three airports, they have received recognition, including from the international community. For instance, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport previously received three Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards 2024 from Airport Council International (ACI), namely Best Airport of Two to Five Million Passengers in Asia-Pacific.
Ahmad Yani Airport, with a capacity of over six million passengers per year and a runway measuring 2,650 x 45 meters, received the ASQ Awards 2024 for Best Airport of Two to Five Million Passengers in Asia-Pacific and the ACI World Director General's Roll of Excellence.
HAS Hanandjoeddin Airport received awards from various institutions, including the Healthy Port and Airport 2024 from the Ministry of Health and the OTBAN Award 2023 for Best Airport Operator from the Airport Authority Region VI Padang.
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