From Singapore to the Land of Laskar Pelangi, Belitung is Ready to Welcome a Wave of Foreign Tourists

Matras Beach/https://polman-babel.ac.id/

BELITUNG - Belitung Regent Djoni Alamsyah ensures that the H. AS Hanandjoeddin International Airport in Tanjungpandan is ready to open direct international flight services from Singapore starting May 3, 2026. This route is scheduled to be served twice a week by the Scoot airline.

Djoni said that the airport's overall readiness was very good, although there were still some minor improvements that would be completed soon.

According to him, the airport manager, Angkasa Pura II, immediately perfected a number of facilities in the international arrival area, especially the air system so that the room temperature was in accordance with passenger comfort standards, as well as improving water pressure at the faucet facility.

"Overall the airport is ready, there are only a few minor points that need to be improved," he said after directly reviewing the airport's preparations, Antara, Wednesday, April 15.

The opening of the direct route between Singapore and Tanjungpandan is believed to be a catalyst for accelerating the growth of Belitung's economy, especially the tourism, MSMEs, hospitality, and travel services sectors.

In addition to tourists from Singapore, this route is also expected to be the entry point for foreign tourists from Japan, China, and a number of other countries through Singapore as the main international aviation hub in Asia.

Djoni is optimistic that Belitung's main strength lies in its exotic natural tourist destinations, ranging from rows of typical granite beaches to the richness of local cuisine, which is a unique attraction for foreign tourists.

"Belitung Beach has a beauty that is no less than other destinations in Indonesia, plus the hospitality of the community with a strong Malay culture," he said.

The regional government hopes that the return of this international connectivity will be the starting point for a new revival of tourism in the Laskar Pelangi State after it had stopped for the past few years.