Jakarta. The Indonesian government has reinstated international airport status for five regional airports, aiming to enhance global air connectivity, support tourism, and stimulate regional economic growth.

The decision was announced by Lukman Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation at the Transportation Ministry, who described the move as a strategic policy to strengthen Indonesia’s international flight network and drive more balanced development.

“The designation of international airports is carried out carefully, based on infrastructure readiness, international traffic potential, and multimodal transport integration,” Lukman said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that the government conducted comprehensive studies to evaluate each airport, including forecasts of international and domestic air traffic, proximity to existing international airports, and the availability of supporting facilities such as immigration, customs, and quarantine services. Technical and operational compliance with international safety and service standards was also considered.

“We apply strict due diligence and base decisions on accurate data,” Lukman said.

The five airports are:

• Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in Palembang
• HAS Hanandjoeddin Airport in Bangka Belitung
• Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang
• Syamsuddin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin
• Supadio Airport in Pontianak

With these additions, Indonesia now has 22 airports officially designated as international gateways.

The ministry has also coordinated with local governments, airport operators, and stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and maximize the economic benefits of international connectivity for surrounding regions.

“This expansion reflects our commitment to providing equitable, high-quality, and globally competitive air services for all Indonesians,” Lukman said.

However, the Transportation Ministry stressed that international airport status is not permanent. Ongoing evaluations will consider passenger and cargo traffic volumes, flight frequency, and service readiness. Airports could lose their international designation if they fail to meet performance criteria.

Expert Cautions Against Rushing International Designations
Aviation analyst Gatot Rahardjo warned that assigning international status to more airports without sufficient market demand could burden airport operators and lead to inefficient investments.

“There’s no deadline to designate international airports. The decision should be driven by actual supply and demand,” he said.

Gatot pointed out that Indonesia still sees a net outflow of international air travelers, with more Indonesians flying abroad than foreign tourists arriving.

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), 9.8 million foreign tourists entered Indonesia by air in 2024. By contrast, international air passenger volume totaled 36 million, as reported by the Transportation Ministry.

“The data shows international flights are used more for outbound travel than for bringing in tourists,” Gatot noted.

He pointed out that both central and regional governments still face a major challenge in boosting inbound tourism.

“The real task is to increase international arrivals -- whether for business or leisure -- and ensure our airports are utilized effectively,” he said.