The government has upgraded the status of 19 airports to international airports, bringing the total to 36. This decision follows President Prabowo Subianto's directive to maximize revenue in the tourism sector.
However, the question arises: will the addition of an international airport have the expected impact?
Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) Hariyadi Sukamdani welcomed the addition of airports with international status in Indonesia. According to him, this step opens up more access and has the potential to significantly increase the number of tourist visits.
"The addition of the airport adds facilities, increases access to enter Indonesia. So, that will certainly increase tourist visits," he told SUAR, Monday (11/8/2025).
Nevertheless, Hariyadi emphasized the importance of an active role from the local government and local tourism businesses so that the international status is not revoked again. He pointed out that previous international airports were closed due to the low number of flights. This should not happen again.
"The key is at the airport. But if they (businesses in the region) themselves cannot bring in guests, they will eventually lose their international status," he explained.
Hariyadi explained that the success of a tourist area is highly dependent on promotion and event organization. He compared the conditions in Lake Toba and Sabang. Based on his report, tourist visits in Lake Toba have decreased.
In contrast, tourist visits in Sabang have actually increased. Hariyadi revealed that this happened because tourism businesses in Sabang were very aggressive in promotion. In fact, Sabang's main attraction is more limited, namely only diving activities.
"In Sabang, it went up, why, because the tourism entrepreneurs in Sabang are diligently promoting. Even though Sabang is more difficult, because he only dives," he said.
On the other hand, aviation observer Alvin Lie explained data analyzed by the Indonesian Aviation Service Users Association (APJAPI) which shows that the number of airports with international status is currently ineffective in bringing in foreign tourists. Analysis of data on the movement of foreigners from 2023 to May 2025 shows that 90% of foreign passengers are concentrated in only two airports: Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) and Ngurah Rai (DPS).
According to him, Ngurah Rai's contribution averages above 66% per year, while Soekarno-Hatta contributes around 24%. Other airports such as Juanda and Kualanamu only have a consistent contribution of 1%-3%. Even Yogyakarta Airport (YIA) will only reach above 1% by 2023.
"Indeed, the disparity is very wide. It shows that the existence of other international airports is not effective in bringing in foreign guests," he told Suar, (9/8/2025).
He explained that the main problem is that these regions do not promote their potential and attractions in countries served by direct flights. He questioned how tourists would be interested in coming if they did not know the attractiveness of the area. "This is proof that the number of international airports is not useful in bringing in foreign guests. It only facilitates Indonesian citizens going abroad," he said.
He added that most international airports only serve routes to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. "This makes our airports only a feeder for Changi and KLIA airports," he explained.
Director General of Air Transportation, Lukman F. Laisa, explained that this policy is part of the implementation of President Prabowo Subianto's Asta Cita, which focuses on equitable development and economic growth. According to Lukman, this addition is not just a number, but a concrete effort to open international access to the regions.
"The determination of international airports is carried out in a measured manner, taking into account infrastructure readiness, the potential for foreign air transportation, and linkages with intermodal transportation systems. This is a concrete step in equalizing international air access that is safe, reliable, and competitive," Lukman explained.
Through the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 26 and KM 30 of 2025, the five airports that now have international status are:
- Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in Palembang.
- H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Airport in Bangka Belitung.
- General Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang.
- Syamsuddin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin.
- Supadio Airport in Pontianak.
After that, the Ministry of Transportation increased the number of airports with international status by issuing Decrees of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 37 of 2025 and KM 38 of 2025. Now there are a total of 36 airports with international status.
Responding to the government's plan, Alvin Lie suggested that the government should require regions with international airports to conduct consistent and continuous promotions abroad.
"Make it a condition for determining the airport as an airport serving international routes. If it is not promoted, there is no need for inter-interan," he said.