The Saga of 17 Airports Losing International Status

The Indonesian government has revoked the international status of 17 out of 35 airports across various regions. This change is outlined in the Ministry of Transportation's Decree No. 31/2024, issued on Apr. 2. According to Adita Irawati, spokesperson for the Transportation Ministry, this move aims to bolster the domestic aviation sector.

"The minister's decree was issued to safeguard international flights in the post-pandemic period by designating airports as international hubs or feeders within the country," she said on Monday, Apr. 29. Another reason for the decision is efficiency. Many international airports have only served a few international flights, if any.

Here is the list of 17 airports that have been stripped of their international status:

1. Maimun Saleh Airport, Sabang
2. Silangit Airport, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra
3. Soewondo Airport, Medan, North Sumatra
4. Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport, Tanjung Pinang, Riau
5. Supadio Airport, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan
6. Juwata Tarakan Airport, North Kalimantan
7. Syamsudin Noor Airport, Banjar Baru, South Kalimantan
8. Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung, West Java
9. Adisucipto Airport, Sleman, Yogyakarta
10. Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport, Semarang, Central Java
11. Adi Sumarmo Airport, Boyolali, Central Java
12. North Bali Airport, Buleleng, Bali
13. Selaparang Airport, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)
14. El Tari Airport, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)
15. Pattimura Airport, Ambon, Maluku
16. Mopah Airport, Merauke, Papua
17. Frans Kaisiepo Airport, Biak Numfor, Papua