Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Indonesia's Transportation Ministry has granted international status to 36 public airports across the country, in a move aimed at boosting economic opportunities, strengthening trade and tourism flows, and reinforcing the role of air transport as a key driver of national growth
"International status brings significant responsibilities," Transportation Ministry Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa said in a statement on Monday. "Airports must meet safety, security, and service standards, and prepare immigration, customs, and quarantine facilities before handling direct flights to and from overseas."
Local airports have six months to complete mandatory documentation and secure approvals from the defense ministry, customs, immigration, and quarantine authorities. The ministry will monitor compliance from the outset and conduct evaluations at least every two years, adjusting an airport's status if needed.
Three special-purpose airports – Sultan Syarief Haroen Setia Negara in Riau, Weda Bay in North Maluku, and Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi – have also been cleared for limited international flights, primarily for medical evacuations, disaster response, and cargo related to industrial operations.
These facilities must still comply with full safety, security, and service regulations and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the presence of customs, immigration, and quarantine personnel and infrastructure.
The Bersujud Airport in Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan, will similarly operate as an international airport once it meets the six-month compliance deadline.
"This step ensures that every international flight, whether through public or special-purpose airports, is conducted in accordance with laws and technical standards," Lukman said. "Cross-agency coordination is key to safe, orderly, and lawful operations."
Newly designated international airports in Indonesia
1 Sultan Iskandar Muda Aceh Besar Aceh
2 Kualanamu Deli Serdang North Sumatra
3 Minangkabau Padang Pariaman West Sumatra
4 Sultan Syarif Kasim II Pekanbaru Riau
5 Hang Nadim Batam Riau Islands
6 Soekarno-Hatta Tangerang Banten
7 Halim Perdanakusuma East Jakarta Jakarta
8 Kertajati Majalengka West Java
9 Kulon Progo Kulon Progo Yogyakarta
10 Juanda Sidoarjo East Java
11 I Gusti Ngurah Rai Badung Bali
12 Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Central Lombok West Nusa Tenggara
13 Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Balikpapan East Kalimantan
14 Sultan Hasanuddin Maros South Sulawesi
15 Sam Ratulangi Manado North Sulawesi
16 Sentani Jayapura Papua
17 Komodo West Manggarai East Nusa Tenggara
18 S.M. Badaruddin II Palembang South Sumatra
19 H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Belitung Bangka Belitung Islands
20 Jenderal Ahmad Yani Semarang Central Java
21 Syamsudin Noor Banjarbaru South Kalimantan
22 Supadio Pontianak West Kalimantan
23 Raja Sisingamangaraja XII North Tapanuli North Sumatra
24 Raja Haji Fisabilillah Tanjung Pinang Riau Islands
25 Radin Inten II South Lampung Lampung
26 Adi Soemarmo Boyolali Central Java
27 Banyuwangi Banyuwangi East Java
28 Juwata Tarakan North Kalimantan
29 El Tari Kupang East Nusa Tenggara
30 Pattimura Ambon Maluku
31 Frans Kaisiepo Biak Numfor Papua
32 Mopah Merauke South Papua
33 Kediri Kediri East Java
34 Mutiara Sis Al Jufri Palu Central Sulawesi
35 Domine Eduard Osok Sorong Southwest Papua
36 Aji Pangeran Tumenggung Pranoto Samarinda East Kalimantan
Special-purpose airports for limited international flights
- Sultan Syarief Haroen Setia Negara Pelalawan Riau
- Weda Bay Central Halmahera North Maluku
- IMIP Morowali Central Sulawesi
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-designates-36-airports-as-international-gateway