Tanjungpinang Is No Longer Just A Transit, The Riau Islands Provincial Government Prepares Regular International Flights

Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport (RHF) Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands (Kepri). BETWEEN

TANJUNGPINANG Riau Islands Provincial Government (Kepri Provincial Government) is seeking international regular flights at Tanjungpinang Haji Fisabilillah Airport (RHF), following the issuance of the Decree (SK) of the Minister of Transportation Number 37 of 2025 concerning the Determination of International Airports.

In the decree, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) returns the status of Tanjungpinang RHF Airport to an international airport after being frozen in 2023.

"We encourage regular airlines at RHF Airport, because previously there were only charter flights from China," said Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Sunday, September 7.

Ansar emphasized that regular international flights are very important to encourage tourism investment, especially in Tanjungpinang as the capital of Riau Islands Province.

According to him, so far the international status of the airport has not had an optimal impact on the local economy because most foreign tourists only transit to Bintan.

"If there are regular flights, there must be many foreign tourists who can enter Tanjungpinang so that the economy rotates," he said.

He said the return of international status at RHF Airport was an important momentum that must be utilized immediately. That way, foreign tourists can land directly in Tanjungpinang or Bintan without having to transit in Batam or Singapore.

The Riau Islands Provincial Government is also working on a visa exemption policy for three priority countries, namely China, Korea, and India.

"Especially for China, the prospect is promising to increase foreign tourist visits to Tanjungpinang, especially since our communication relationship with the government there is very good. If they are visa-free to us, we should also give similar policies," said Ansar.

In addition, the Riau Islands Provincial Government will strengthen tourism promotions, fix facilities, and hold an international agenda to attract more tourists. "Batam is already on autopilot, now Tanjungpinang and Bintan must be packaged to become superior destinations," he added.

General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, Tanjungpinang RHF Airport Branch Office, Agung Brahmantyo, ensures the readiness of supporting facilities. The terminal capacity of RHF Airport reaches 1 million passengers per year, but in 2024 it will only be filled with 264 thousand passengers.

“Kami siap mengaktifkan kembali fasilitas internasional, termasuk konter imigrasi, bea cukai, dan karantina. Sertifikat bandar udara akan disesuaikan dari domestik menjadi internasional,” kata Agung.

"We are ready to reactivate international facilities, including immigration counters, customs, and quarantines. Airport certificates will be adjusted from domestic to international," said Agung.