ER
INDONESIA’s AirAsia is expanding its flight service from Palu to Surabaya and Kendari via Makassar starting March 7, 2026. The new route is expected to strengthen connectivity between regions on Sulawesi Island and open wider access from Central Sulawesi to Java and eastern Indonesia.
According to Edy Krismedi, Head of Policy and Affairs at PT AirAsia Indonesia, Indonesia AirAsia continues to strive to provide affordable flight services tailored to the needs of the community.
“Starting March 7, 2026, Indonesia AirAsia will launch a flight service connecting Palu to Surabaya and Kendari via Makassar. With Makassar as a transit point, intercity and inter-island travel will be more flexible and efficient,” he said in Palu on Monday (02/02), 2026.
He explained that the route strengthens connectivity on Sulawesi Island and provides easier access from Central Sulawesi. This service not only provides a convenient travel alternative but also supports air mobility, domestic tourism, and regional economic activity.
Previously, Acting President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman, stated that Makassar would become a transit point connecting Palu with various destinations in Sulawesi, Java, and other eastern Indonesian regions.
In addition to domestic routes, the Palu-Makassar connection also opens up international travel opportunities through a Fly-Thru system, particularly to Kuala Lumpur and several destinations within the AirAsia Group network.
This connectivity is expected to increase the flow of international tourists to Central Sulawesi and contribute to the development of the regional tourism sector.
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of domestic tourist trips to Central Sulawesi from January to November 2025 reached 10,531,076. This number increased compared to the same period in 2024, which reached 8,334,280 trips.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Sulawesi Provincial Tourism Office, Diah Agustiningsih, welcomed Indonesia AirAsia’s presence in Palu City.
“I appreciate the airline’s move to strengthen air connectivity to Central Sulawesi. We want to ensure that all guests entering Central Sulawesi through any gateway arrive smoothly, safely, and comfortably,” she said.
Diah hopes AirAsia’s presence will be the beginning of broader domestic connectivity, including to several regencies in Central Sulawesi.
“In the future, we hope AirAsia can serve areas such as Tojo Una-Una, Luwuk, and others. This will allow tourists entering and leaving Central Sulawesi to have a unique experience when visiting Central Sulawesi,” she said.
With the addition of flight routes to and from Palu City, Central Sulawesi’s tourism sector is expected to grow further, providing easier access to various prime destinations in the region. [sources/photo special]
