TARAKAN - After returning to the status of an international airport, Juwata Tarakan Airport, North Kalimantan (Kaltara) has begun exploring the opening of a number of overseas flight routes, including Malaysia and China.
The Head of Juwata Tarakan International Airport, Bambang Hartato, said the restoration of the status was contained in the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 37 of 2025 which was established on August 8, 2025.
"This policy aims to strengthen border area connectivity while opening international flight access to a number of countries such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam," said Bambang, Wednesday (1/4/2026).
He said his party had communicated with a number of airlines regarding the plan to open international routes.
"We have explored several airlines such as AirAsia, Susi Air, TransNusa to My Indo Airlines which are interested in opening direct routes to China," he said.
In addition, communication was also carried out with the Lion Air airline to explore similar opportunities. One of the routes that are considered potential in the near future is Tarakan-Tawau, Malaysia, given the high mobility of people in border areas.
"One airline, Susi Air, has even entered the stage of managing international operating permits or Foreign Air Operator Certificates (AOC)," said Bambang.
"Susi Air is quite serious about opening international routes from Kaltara," he continued.
Not only passenger transportation, the opportunity for international cargo flights is also being studied, including plans for direct shipments to China.
However, more intensive discussions with the airlines are expected to be carried out after the Lebaran period. The airport hopes that the communication that has been established can immediately lead to the realization of the opening of international routes. "We hope that some of the airlines we have explored will actually realize the opening of international routes from Tarakan," concluded Bambang.
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