Tugu Digulis monument. Pontianak is a gateway to regional and international markets. Photo credit iStock/supriyadi.
AirAsia Malaysia announced last week that it will revive direct flights to Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, from Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, on 12 September. The flights were suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget airline has been expanding its services in Indonesia as visitor traffic between the two countries continues to grow not just for leisure and business travel but also for medical tourism. This bodes well for air connectivity in the BIMP-EAGA subregion with more flight services to key points in Kalimantan and Sulawesi added this year.
Pontianak is a gateway to regional and international markets. It is a commercial and transport hub accessible by air (via Supaido International Airport), sea, and land.
The frequency of the Kuala Lumpur–Pontianak service will be four times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday), while Kuching–Pontianak will be twice daily. These new routes were unveiled during the Sarawak Travel Fair organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board in Pontianak.
Opportunities for growth
“We are delighted with AirAsia’s decision to further connect West Kalimantan with Kuala Lumpur and Kuching,” said West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan at the launch. “These new direct routes will not only facilitate easier access for travelers but also bolster trade, investment and tourism flows. West Kalimantan stands ready to welcome more Malaysian visitors while providing convenient access for Indonesians seeking business opportunities, leisure travel, and medical services in Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur.”
“Sarawak’s increasing demand, particularly in health tourism, makes this direct route even more valuable for Indonesians seeking affordable, quality healthcare,” said Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor. “Previously, travelers had to transit through Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur leading to longer hours and higher cost. This new route Kuching–Pontianak connection will help drive visitor growth, create new business opportunities and further strengthen Sarawak’s role as the gateway to Borneo. It is a win-win for both sides of the border. The people of Kalimantan and Sarawak deserve seamless connectivity and the prospect of mutual growth.”
This expansion follows AirAsia’s rapid growth in Indonesia including the recent launch of the Kuala Lumpur–Palembang route in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur–Semarang in September. With the direct services to Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will fly to 17 destinations in Indonesia with 223 weekly flights between the two countries.
Expansion of domestic services
In the meantime, Indonesia AirAsia operates seven domestic routes and 26 international routes. The Jakarta–Manado route was launched in July while flights between Surabaya and Balikpapan, Berau, and Tarakan in Kalimantan will start in October. The Berau and Tarakan services will be via Balikpapan. Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi. It is a transport hub that provides access to popular destinations, such as Bunaken Marine Park, the mountain city of Tomohon, and the Tangkoko National Park conservation area.
Centrally located, Surabaya plays a strategic role in connecting the Indonesia’s regions. It is one of the country's primary air travel distribution hubs.
Balikpapan is a seaport city in East Kalimantan, which serves as a gateway to the new Indonesian capital Nusantara. Natural tourist attractions include Kemala Beach and the Margomulyo Mangrove Forest. Berau is the main access point to prime marine tourism destinations in East Kalimantan, including the Derawan, Maratua, and Kakaban Islands.
Tarakan is North Kalimantan's largest city. It plays a vital role in trade and logistics connectivity in the region and has potential for natural and cultural tourism.
As Indonesia's second-largest metropolitan city, Surabaya plays a strategic role in connecting Indonesia's regions. Its central location, continuously developing airport infrastructure, and significant passenger growth make Surabaya one of the country's primary air travel distribution hubs.