Palembang Airport to Resume International Flights, Boosting Indonesian Tourism
Indonesia’s Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport (SMB II) in Palembang, South Sumatra, is set to resume international flights after a period of operating solely domestically. The airport’s international status was temporarily suspended on April 2, 2024. This decision marks a notable step towards revitalizing tourism and economic growth in the region.
The proclamation was made by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Transportation, Suntana, during a recent visit to Palembang. the visit included a post-holiday traffic evaluation meeting focused on the Christmas and New Year 2024/2025 travel period. Suntana stated, “God willing, these (international) flights will resume after the Christmas and New Year period. All that remains is to wait for changes in regulations.”
Economic Revival Through Air Travel
The resumption of international flights is seen as crucial for the economic well-being of South Sumatra. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of restoring these routes to meet public demand and stimulate economic growth, particularly within the tourism sector.This aligns with the views of south Sumatra’s acting governor, Elen Setiadi, who previously advocated for the return of international flights.
Suntana highlighted the strong public demand for routes to Malaysia and Singapore, previously popular destinations before the COVID-19 pandemic.He noted that these routes are frequently used for medical treatment, business, and tourism.”In addition, the routes that were active before the COVID-19 pandemic, namely Malaysia and Singapore, are in great demand by the people of South Sumatra, especially for purposes such as medical treatment, business, and tourism,” Suntana explained.
The move to reinstate international flights at SMB II also reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to reactivate airports that previously handled international travel. The indonesian central goverment, through the Ministry of Transportation, fully supports the efforts of the South Sumatra provincial and Palembang city governments in this endeavor. Suntana concluded, “In principle, the government will support all necessary efforts to improve the investment climate and economic growth, especially in South Sumatra.”
The reopening of SMB II to international flights is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the local economy, mirroring similar successes seen in other regions that have reopened international air travel following the pandemic. The increased accessibility will likely attract more foreign investment and boost tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. This mirrors the positive impact seen in the U.S. with the reopening of international travel to major airports across the country.
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