JAKARTA – Indonesia's state-owned airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia under the InJourney Airports brand, is promoting six regional airports to strengthen air connectivity between Indonesia, ASEAN and China.
The initiative was highlighted during the 17th ASEAN-China Working Group on Regional Air Services Arrangements (ACWG-RASA) in Yogyakarta, where the company explored opportunities to expand international flight partnerships, as reported by Antara.
“This forum serves as an opportunity to showcase our airports' competitive advantages to support the strengthening of ASEAN-China air connectivity.
“This initiative is also part of our broader effort to optimise InJourney Airports' assets,” said InJourney Airports president director Mohammad R. Pahlevi in a press statement received here on July 18.
The forum, hosted by Indonesia's Transportation Ministry, brought together 61 delegates from ASEAN member states and China, along with 127 representatives from airlines, airport operators, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance companies and aviation associations.
InJourney Airports commercial director Veri Y. Setiady said improving ASEAN-China connectivity remains a key priority as demand for flights between China and Indonesian regions continues to grow.
He said Indonesia welcomed 40.9 million international passengers by December 2025, representing a recovery rate of 110 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels.
“The Asian market contributes 67 per cent of this total, and China is one of the main drivers of this growth,” he said.
Setiady noted that demand from China is no longer concentrated solely on Jakarta and Bali.
Based on 2025 indirect passenger traffic data, Java recorded about 992,000 passengers, followed by Bali and Nusa Tenggara with around 525,000 passengers and Sumatra with 169,000 passengers. Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua also recorded steady growth.
“This trend reinforces our basis to continue pushing for stronger direct ASEAN-China connectivity, not only through primary hubs but also through other airports that serve as gateways to various regions,” he said.
The six airports being promoted are Yogyakarta International Airport, Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport in Lombok, Minangkabau International Airport in Padang, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar and Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado.
The airports are integrated with surrounding regional airport networks, including Kendari, Palu, Gorontalo, Ternate, Ambon, Sorong, Timika, Jayapura, Kupang and Labuan Bajo, enabling broader connectivity across the Indonesian archipelago.
Setiady said the company received positive feedback from delegates and airlines at the forum and would pursue further discussions to develop potential collaborations.
As the world's fifth-largest airport operator, serving about 162 million passengers annually across 37 airports, InJourney Airports aims to strengthen Indonesia-China connectivity while supporting the country's economy and tourism sector.
