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PT AIRASIA Indonesia Tbk continues to expand its route network in the domestic market. Most recently, the low-cost airline inaugurated its inaugural Surabaya–Tarakan flight via Balikpapan on Tuesday (9/30), 2025.
This expansion is considered strategic because it not only opens direct connectivity between East Java, East Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan, but also strengthens AirAsia’s role as a key hub for promoting trade, tourism, and the distribution of commodities between regions.
According to the Acting President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, said the presence of this new route strengthens connectivity between three strategic regions.
“Surabaya, as a center of trade and industry, is now increasingly connected to Balikpapan, the gateway to the development of the Indonesian capital, and Tarakan, which is developing as a fisheries and trade center. This route will facilitate public mobility and accelerate the distribution of superior regional products, especially seafood,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (10/01), 2025.
AirAsia also emphasized that passengers from Balikpapan and Tarakan now have easier access to international markets. Surabaya offers connections to Malaysian destinations such as Johor Bahru and Penang. Furthermore, AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service will enable connectivity to Bangkok starting October 2, 2025, with subsequent connections to several major cities in Asia, including Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Hanoi.
For this new service, Indonesia AirAsia operates daily flights from Surabaya to Balikpapan, with flight numbers QZ770/QZ772 departing at 5:10 a.m. Western Indonesian Time and arriving at 7:45 a.m. Central Indonesian Time, and the return flight QZ771/QZ773 departing Balikpapan to Surabaya at 11:45 a.m. Central Indonesian Time.
Meanwhile, the Surabaya-Tarakan flight via Balikpapan is scheduled three times a week, every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flight QZ770 departs Surabaya at 5:10 a.m. Western Indonesian Time for Balikpapan, then continues its journey at 8:15 a.m. Central Indonesian Time for Tarakan, arriving at 9:30 a.m. Central Indonesian Time.
For the return flight, flight QZ771 from Tarakan is scheduled to depart Balikpapan at 10:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, then continues to Surabaya at 11:45 a.m. Central Indonesian Time and lands at 12:20 p.m. Western Indonesian Time.
The local government has also welcomed the arrival of this route. The Head of the Balikpapan City Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, C.I. Ratih Kusuma W., said that the new flight strengthens Balikpapan’s position as a gateway to North Kalimantan.
“With increasingly open international networks through Surabaya, the potential for trade, investment, and tourism in Kalimantan is believed to continue to grow,” he explained.
Similarly, the Head of the BLU UPBU Juwata Tarakan, Bambang Hartato, emphasized that this route is an important breakthrough for the mobility of the people of North Kalimantan.
“Direct connectivity to Surabaya via Balikpapan will increase Tarakan’s economic opportunities while strengthening regional tourism access,” he said.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), North Kalimantan recorded 957,000 domestic tourist visits from January to July 2025, while East Kalimantan received more than 9.37 million visits. These figures demonstrate the high potential for tourist movement, which requires efficient air connectivity.
For CMPP, the opening of the Surabaya-Tarakan route via Balikpapan is part of its ongoing expansion strategy to expand domestic market share while strengthening synergies with the AirAsia Group’s international routes. This route expansion is also expected to bolster the company’s financial performance, amidst increasing travel demand from both the business and tourism sectors.
All flight tickets can be booked through the AirAsia MOVE app, the official website, online travel agents, and other authorized ticketing agencies. AirAsia emphasizes its continued priority on safety, as recognized through the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification.
With its aggressive expansion strategy, AirAsia Indonesia seeks to capitalize on the growing momentum of tourism and economic activity in Kalimantan, while simultaneously strengthening its national flight network. [source/photo special]
