Monday, June 23, 2025
Singapore is actively exploring the launch of direct travel routes to Semarang, Palembang, and Belitung as part of a broader effort to strengthen regional connectivity, boost tourism flows, and enhance bilateral ties with Indonesia. This initiative follows recent approvals by Indonesian authorities allowing these cities to operate international flights, as well as President Prabowo Subianto’s call for expanded air links with Singapore. With current travel to these destinations requiring long layovers in Jakarta, new nonstop services would significantly improve accessibility, support economic integration, and unlock growth opportunities for airlines, passengers, and businesses across both nations.
Singapore Eyes Expansion of Air Links with Semarang, Palembang, and Belitung to Boost Indonesia Connectivity and Travel Growth
Singapore is actively exploring new international flight connections with three promising destinations in Indonesia—Semarang, Palembang, and Belitung Island—signaling a strategic push to deepen regional connectivity, enhance tourism, and stimulate business travel across Southeast Asia.
Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore’s leading airport operator, confirmed that it is currently in discussions with airline partners regarding the launch of direct services to these three cities. This development follows the recent Indonesian government decision to grant international airport status to Semarang’s Ahmad Yani International Airport, Palembang’s Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport, and Belitung’s H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Airport. These new designations represent a significant shift in Indonesia’s aviation strategy, expanding its international gateway network to 20 airports and signaling a stronger commitment to decentralizing global air access across the archipelago.
The move aligns with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s strong emphasis on increasing air connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia, a message he highlighted during a state visit to Singapore on June 16. President Prabowo’s call reflects Indonesia’s broader ambition to distribute international travel more evenly across its archipelago, moving beyond over-reliance on major hubs like Jakarta and Bali.
Unlocking Direct Access to Under-Served Destinations
At present, travelers cannot fly nonstop from Singapore to Semarang, Palembang, or Belitung, as direct air connections to these Indonesian cities have yet to be established. Travelers must rely on connections via Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, enduring layovers that range between two and nine hours. By launching nonstop flights, Singapore and its airline partners could eliminate these time-consuming transfers, significantly improving convenience for tourists, business travelers, and cargo operators.
Semarang, the capital of Central Java, is a culturally rich port city renowned for its Dutch colonial heritage, vibrant ethnic Chinese communities, and proximity to Borobudur—the world’s largest Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers exceptional value for cultural explorers and spiritual travelers seeking immersive and meaningful experiences.
Palembang, the second-oldest city in Southeast Asia, stands out for its unique culinary traditions, historical landmarks, and growing economic base. As the capital of South Sumatra, it plays a vital role in Indonesia’s regional trade and commerce networks.
Belitung, on the other hand, is an emerging island paradise off the eastern coast of Sumatra. Known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back island life, the destination offers exceptional opportunities for resort tourism, snorkeling, and island-hopping. Belitung’s growing popularity among domestic tourists presents strong potential for international market development, particularly for Singapore-based travelers seeking weekend getaways.
Growing Demand and Strong Passenger Flows
The decision to consider new air routes follows a broader review of Indonesia’s aviation framework. In April 2024, Indonesian authorities streamlined the number of airports allowed to operate international flights, cutting them from 34 to 17 in a move to boost efficiency and resource optimization. The reintroduction of Semarang, Palembang, and Belitung into the international fold represents a reversal of that contraction, driven by market demand and political will.
Singapore has already responded to Indonesia’s renewed openness with recent route additions. Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, expanded its regional network by introducing direct services to Kertajati in September 2024 and to Padang in December 2024, strengthening air links between Singapore and key Indonesian cities. These routes have been instrumental in unlocking new passenger segments and redistributing inbound tourist traffic.
Data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) indicates robust connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia, with over 480 weekly passenger services spanning 13 destinations as of June 15. These cities include Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Medan, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and more. Jakarta and Bali ranked third and fourth, respectively, among Changi Airport’s busiest routes from January to May 2025, trailing only Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
Airline and Economic Opportunities on the Horizon
The proposed new routes present an exciting opportunity not just for Changi Airport, but also for Singapore Airlines and Scoot to strengthen their regional footprint. According to aviation consultancy OAG, increased connectivity will likely stimulate tourism flows, business exchanges, and even cargo volumes. Mayur Patel, OAG’s Head of Asia, noted that both Semarang and Palembang—with metropolitan populations exceeding 1.7 million—are well-positioned to support high-frequency routes catering to business, leisure, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments.
From a cargo perspective, new routes could streamline logistics between Singapore and central Sumatra, opening new lanes for perishable goods, electronics, textiles, and other regional exports. Given Indonesia’s fast-growing consumer market and evolving infrastructure, enhanced access to these provincial capitals is expected to attract both trade and investment interest.
For Scoot, the additions could form part of a broader network strategy targeting underserved secondary cities in Southeast Asia. As competition among budget carriers intensifies, offering niche routes with high potential yield and lower competition could give Scoot a decisive edge.
A Shared Vision for Regional Integration
This initiative also resonates with ASEAN’s long-standing vision of a more integrated and interconnected region. As the bloc pushes forward with plans for a unified aviation market, increasing point-to-point links between member states is crucial for deepening economic integration, supporting tourism recovery, and empowering local economies.
The potential Singapore-Semarang, Singapore-Palembang, and Singapore-Belitung routes could also serve as templates for future connectivity across other ASEAN nodes, paving the way for a more distributed, resilient air travel ecosystem.
Singapore is looking to launch direct travel routes to Semarang, Palembang, and Belitung to improve regional connectivity and support Indonesia’s newly upgraded international airports. The move aims to boost tourism, cut long layovers in Jakarta, and strengthen bilateral ties.
As Singapore and Indonesia look to deepen bilateral ties, these prospective air routes offer more than just shorter travel times—they promise a stronger bridge between cultures, economies, and communities. With strategic alignment between government vision, airport operators, and airline ambitions, these new connections could soon become reality, reshaping regional travel and enhancing access to three of Indonesia’s most dynamic destinations.
