JAKARTA - Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the determination of 36 international airports was not only a matter of administrative status, but had a broad meaning and a number of significant benefits for Indonesia.
Dudy said this policy is a strategic step and is in line with Asta Cita Presiden Prabowo Subianto, especially in strengthening the country's sovereignty, expanding connectivity, driving the economy, and increasing Indonesia's competitiveness in the global arena.
"The determination of international airports is one of the concrete steps taken by the Ministry of Transportation in carrying out President Prabowo's directives to strengthen connectivity, accelerate economic development, and ensure the presence of the state to remote areas of the archipelago," said Dudy in an official statement, Wednesday, August 20.
For your information, the number of international airports in Indonesia previously recorded 20, this number increased from the previous 17 airports.
The addition of the three international airports is in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 26 of 2025.
Then, this number increased. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Hubud) designated 36 public airports as International Airports through the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 37 and KM 38 of 2025.
Benefits Of Increasing The Number Of International Airports
Minister of Transportation Dudy said a number of direct benefits would be felt by the addition of the determination of international airports.
First, strengthening global connectivity where international airports open direct access to flights from and abroad.
"It makes the movement of people and goods easier, as well as connecting areas with the world's growth center," he said.
Second, continued Dudy, international airports will improve the regional economy by developing a number of nodes and economic aspects of the region
"With international status, airports in various regions will become trade nodes, tourism, and investment, thus encouraging local and national economic growth," said Dudy.
Third, international airports are the main entry point for foreign tourists, especially to priority destinations that are being developed by the government.
Fourth, equitable development will be maximized. This airport will ensure that development is not only concentrated on the island of Java, but also reaches Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
"International airports also function strategically in supporting national defense and preparedness to face various geopolitical and disaster challenges," said Dudy.
Dudy said the Ministry of Transportation ensured that in every determination of international airports would pay attention to aspects of aviation safety, infrastructure capacity, service readiness, and synergy with local governments and related agencies.
The determination of international status is also accompanied by supervision, periodic evaluation, and obligation to fulfill safety, security, and service standards in accordance with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This includes the availability of immigration, customs and quarantine facilities.
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Dudy menambahkan, status bandara internasional ini akan dievaluasi dalam kurun waktu dua tahun.
Jika bandara tergolong sepi, maka status bandara internasional akan dipertimbangkan untuk dicabut.
“Kita lihat dalam waktu dua tahun itu bagaimana traffic-nya di bandara-bandara internasional. Jika memang kondisinya sangat sepi, bisa saja ada opsi ditutup status internasionalnya. Itu adalah bagian dari evaluasi,” ujarnya.
Meksi begitu, Dudy mengatakan nantinya penutupan bandara internasional itu akan melibatkan juga banyak pihak.
“Termasuk menghitung pertimbangan pemerintah daerah, perusahaan maskapai, hingga kementerian/lembaga lainnya,” katanya.
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Dudy added that the status of this international airport will be evaluated within two years.
If the airport is quiet, then the status of the international airport will be considered for repeal.
"We'll see in two years how the traffic is at international airports. If the conditions are very quiet, there could be an option to close its international status. That's part of the evaluation," he said.
Even so, Dudy said that later the closure of the international airport would also involve many parties.
"This includes calculating the considerations of local governments, airline companies, to other ministries/agencies," he said.
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