ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is positioning itself as a key aviation gateway between Southeast Asia and China by introducing six strategic regional airport hubs aimed at expanding air connectivity, boosting tourism, facilitating trade, and attracting investment across one of Asia’s most dynamic economic corridors.
The initiative was presented by InJourney Airports, Indonesia’s state-owned airport operator, during the 17th ASEAN–China Working Group on Regional Air Services Arrangements (ACWG-RASA) in Yogyakarta. The forum brought together government officials, airlines, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation industry leaders from ASEAN member states and China to discuss deeper regional air transport cooperation.
President Director of InJourney Airports Mohammad R. Pahlevi said the meeting provided a strategic opportunity to showcase Indonesia’s expanding airport network and reinforce the country’s role in strengthening ASEAN–China connectivity.
“Our airport network offers significant opportunities to enhance regional connectivity while maximizing Indonesia’s aviation infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The forum was attended by 61 government delegates from ASEAN countries and China, along with 127 representatives from airlines, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, and aviation-related companies.
According to InJourney Airports Commercial Director Veri Y. Setiady, travel demand between China and Indonesia is increasingly extending beyond the traditional international gateways of Jakarta and Bali, reflecting growing interest in Indonesia’s emerging destinations.
By the end of 2025, Indonesia welcomed 40.9 million international passengers, representing a 110 percent recovery compared with pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the strong rebound in regional air travel.
Passenger data also reveal a broader shift in travel patterns. Java received nearly 992,000 visitors from China in 2025, followed by Bali and Nusa Tenggara with approximately 525,000 passengers, while Sumatra attracted around 169,000 visitors. Demand for travel to Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua also continued to grow steadily, highlighting the increasing appeal of Indonesia’s regional destinations.
To support this momentum, Indonesia is promoting six strategic regional aviation hubs:
– Yogyakarta International Airport
– Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (Lombok)
– Minangkabau International Airport (Padang)
– Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (Palembang)
– Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (Makassar)
– Sam Ratulangi International Airport (Manado)
These airports are integrated with surrounding domestic airport networks serving Kendari, Palu, Gorontalo, Ternate, Ambon, Sorong, Timika, Jayapura, Kupang, and Labuan Bajo, creating wider access across the Indonesian archipelago while supporting future direct international routes and improving connectivity to fast-growing regional markets.
The initiative forms part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to transform its airport network into a series of regional economic gateways. Stronger air connectivity is expected to support tourism, facilitate trade and investment, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen supply chains between ASEAN and China.
As economic ties between ASEAN and China continue to deepen, Indonesia’s expanding network of regional aviation hubs is expected to play an increasingly important role in enhancing cross-border mobility and reinforcing the country’s position as a strategic gateway connecting Southeast Asia with one of the world’s largest aviation and economic markets. (AT Network)
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