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THE MINISTRY of Transportation is currently studying a seaplane project planned for development in Raja Ampat, Lake Toba, and the island regions of South Sulawesi.
According to Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said that the seaplane concept will allow local governments, especially those with many islands, to improve accessibility without relying solely on land flights.
“This water aerodrome is part of our strategy to encourage involvement from both local governments and the private sector, particularly in regions with numerous islands, so that local governments are not compelled to prioritize the construction of airports on land,” he stated during a Transportation Sector Press Background on Thursday (08/14/2025).
Dudy outlined several reasons for the government’s promotion of the seaplane project. First, to improve accessibility for communities in island regions, especially given the numerous complaints about healthcare access during the trial in South Sulawesi.
“When we implemented this initiative in South Sulawesi, the response was extremely positive, particularly from the health sector, as they had previously expressed concerns related to health issues. In cases of illness, many individuals required immediate medical attention, which was not being adequately addressed,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, he believes that seaplanes could also be utilized by local governments and the private sector to develop untapped tourism destinations.
“We have numerous islands, and I believe there is significant untapped tourism potential. This seaplane will undoubtedly contribute to the expansion of our tourism sector,” Dudy stated.
The Ministry of Transportation has not yet established any regulations regarding seaplanes, including fares. This is due to the ongoing assessment of the results of trials conducted in the three locations.
Regarding potential routes, he stated that seaplanes in Raja Ampat could potentially connect Sorong City with Misool Island. In North Sumatra, potential seaplane routes include Batam Island to Lake Toba or Kualanamu to Lake Toba.
“In fact, they requested a flight from Malaysia, but I informed them that the distance was too great for seaplanes, as they are typically used for shorter routes, typically an hour or 1.5 hours. If the distance is too great, it will not be very comfortable for passengers,” Dudy noted.
Potential seaplane routes in South Sulawesi include connecting Losari Beach in Makassar with Taka Bonerate, Pangkep Island, Selayar Island, and Pare-pare.
In addition to Raja Ampat, Lake Toba, and South Sulawesi, the Ministry of Transportation is also targeting several potential locations for seaplane development: The following destinations are available for your consideration: Bawah Island in the Riau Islands, Borobudur, Bromo, Pangpang Bay, Benete, Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Sungai Kahayan, Wakatobi, Likupang, and Morotai. [kumparan.com/photo special]
