ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia has strengthened its air connectivity with China as Spring Airlines officially launched two new direct routes linking Guangzhou and Shenzhen with Jakarta, a move expected to accelerate Chinese tourist arrivals and deepen tourism and economic ties between the two countries.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism welcomed the expansion, describing it as a strategic step to improve bilateral connectivity amid steadily rising travel demand from China, one of Indonesia’s largest inbound tourism markets.
Deputy for Tourism Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini said the launch of the two routes reflects growing cooperation between Indonesia and China in the tourism sector.
“The opening of these new routes strengthens air connectivity while reinforcing tourism relations between Indonesia and China,” she said quoted on June 29, 2026.
The inaugural Guangzhou–Jakarta flight landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on June 16 with a 92.5% load factor, carrying 172 passengers. A day later, the first Shenzhen–Jakarta service arrived with an even higher 95.6% load factor, bringing 178 passengers.
Passengers on both inaugural flights received Wonderful Indonesia souvenirs upon arrival to mark the launch.
Spring Airlines will operate the Guangzhou–Jakarta route three times a week—every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday—using Airbus A320 aircraft. The Shenzhen–Jakarta service will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the additional flights are a proactive response to the sustained growth in Chinese visitor arrivals and form part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to enhance international air connectivity and strengthen the competitiveness of its tourism industry.
Official data show that 491,726 Chinese visitors traveled to Indonesia between January and April 2026, an increase of 25.58% from 391,578 arrivals during the same period in 2025.
As Indonesia’s primary international gateway, Jakarta serves not only as a tourism destination but also as a major business and convention hub. The government expects the new direct services to encourage more Chinese travelers to continue their journeys to leading destinations across the Indonesian archipelago.
With direct access now available from two of southern China’s largest metropolitan areas, Indonesia expects stronger visitor flows, broader tourism distribution across the country, and greater contributions from the tourism sector to national economic growth. (AT Network)
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