Jakarta. The Transportation Ministry plans to develop 39 new airports over the long term to strengthen national connectivity, but an aviation expert has questioned whether airlines can sustain services at the new facilities, warning that several existing airports remain underutilized due to weak commercial demand.

Director General of Air Transportation Lukman F. Laisa said the plan is based on the Transportation Ministerial Decree No. KM 33/2024 on the National Airport System, which outlines the future expansion of the country's airport network.

"The list is a long-term plan for developing the national airport network to support connectivity, not a list of airport construction projects," Lukman said.

He said that none of the 39 proposed airport locations have been approved for development. The government has yet to determine construction sites, complete technical designs, set implementation schedules, or allocate funding.

According to Lukman, the Air Transportation Directorate General's five-year strategic plan serves as a policy document that outlines development priorities rather than a budget or project execution plan.

Any airport development will require feasibility studies, land acquisition, environmental approvals, engineering designs, and financing before construction can begin. Funding mechanisms will be determined later based on government priorities, whether through the state budget or alternative financing schemes.

Indonesia currently operates 257 airports. If all 39 proposed airports are eventually developed, the national airport master plan would expand to 296 airports.

The ministry said the long-term expansion aims to improve connectivity across the archipelago, increase access to air transport, support economic growth, boost tourism, and promote more balanced regional development, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

However, aviation industry representatives cautioned that new airport development should be carefully assessed to avoid creating underutilized infrastructure.

Alvin Lie, chairman of the Indonesian Aviation Service Users Association (APJAPI), said many existing airports still struggle to attract commercial airlines, pointing to Kertajati International Airport in West Java as an example.

"No matter how many airports are built, if airlines don't operate there, they will become unprofitable," Alvin said, urging the government to prioritize improving connectivity and ensuring commercial viability before proceeding with new projects.

The expansion plans also face budget constraints. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the ministry has received an indicative budget ceiling of Rp 28.34 trillion ($1.57 billion) for 2027, well below the Rp 46.21 trillion funding envisioned in its strategic plan, leaving a funding gap of Rp 17.87 trillion, or 38.67%. Compared with the ministry's total estimated funding requirement of Rp 55.16 trillion, the shortfall widens to Rp 26.82 trillion, or 48.62%.

Dudy said additional funding would be needed to support priority programs, particularly those related to transport safety, basic public services, and regional connectivity.