Sarawak anticipates return of direct flights to Pontianak
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said this follows the reinstatement of international status for West Kalimantan's Supadio Airport, serving Pontianak.
The route was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the airport's temporary downgrade to domestic status.
"The return of this important air route marks a major milestone in reconnecting Sarawak and West Kalimantan," Lee said in a statement on Thursday (July 24).
"It is a vital step toward strengthening people-to-people ties, economic collaboration, and regional mobility between Sarawak and West Kalimantan,' he added.
AirAsia is set to announce the resumption of its flights to Pontianak this weekend.
Lee said his ministry had consistently engaged with Indonesian authorities to restore air connectivity.
Last September, he led a delegation to Pontianak and Singkawang and formally requested the resumption of direct Kuching-Pontianak flights.
He expressed appreciation to former Indonesian Consul General in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, for initiating and supporting the dialogue.
"This route is not only important to us in Sarawak, but it has also been highly requested by the people of Pontianak.
"Reestablishing air connectivity fosters mutual understanding, shared development, and closer bilateral relations between our regions," Lee said.
He added that the renewed connectivity would stimulate cross-border trade, tourism, and small business activities.
"This will open new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, travel agencies, transport operators, and border communities who rely on the flow of people and goods between Sarawak and Kalimantan.
"Reviving this route also has the potential to boost our tourism sector, as West Kalimantan visitors can once again access Sarawak's ecotourism destinations, medical services, and cultural attractions directly via Kuching."
Looking ahead, Lee said the state government is keen to explore new routes to other cities in Kalimantan, aligning with the relocation of Indonesia's capital to Nusantara.
"The development of Nusantara opens up fresh possibilities for economic integration and transport collaboration.
"We look forward to working closely with our counterparts across the border to expand this momentum," he said.
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