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INDONESIA AirAsia airline opens the new flight route in Surabaya Balikpapan starting October 1, 2025. Acting Director of Indonesia AirAsia Captain Achmad Sadikin Abdurachman said this route operates every day and is projected to be one of the most important air paths that connects Java with East Kalimantan, while supporting mobility to the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN).
According to him, the presence of the Surabaya Balikpapan route not only adds to the choice of travel, but rather is part of Indonesia AirAsia’s strategic commitment in strengthening their domestic network, especially to Eastern Indonesia.
“Balikpapan has a very important role, both as an industrial and energy center, as well as as a major entrance to IKN and tourist destinations in East Kalimantan,” he said in a written statement on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Achmad added, Indonesia AirAsia wants to ensure that people have more fast and efficient options for important destinations in East and North Kalimantan. This route is also claimed to answer the mobility needs of workers who are active in Balikpapan and the surrounding area, in addition to supporting travel and business trips.
Thus, the opening of this new domestic route is considered not only to facilitate the movement of the community, but also encourages tourism and trade potential, as well as economic development in Eastern Indonesia.
In addition to the direct route of Surabaya Balikpapan, Indonesia AirAsia also opened flights from Surabaya, through Balikpapan, to Berau and Tarakan. With this connection, Balikpapan is strengthened as a strategic hub that connects Java with East and North Kalimantan.
Outside of these routes, Indonesia AirAsia currently also serves direct flights Balikpapan-Denpasar and Balikpapan-Kuala Mud. In total, there are four domestic routes and one international route from and leading to Balikpapan, including Surabaya, Denpasar, Berau, Tarakan, and Kuala Lumpur.
“This further confirms the position of Balikpapan as an important hub that connects Kalimantan with various major cities in Indonesia and abroad,” Achmad affirmed.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded more than 6.5 million domestic tourist trips to East Kalimantan along 2024, while to North Kalimantan more than 640 thousand trips. According to Achmad, this figure shows the high demand for reliable and affordable air access.
“With the support of new routes coupled with aviation networks that have been operating from and to Balikpapan, Indonesia AirAsia is optimistic that it can expand the access of domestic and international tourists to East Kalimantan,” he said.
In addition to expanding the domestic network to Balikpapan, Berau, and Tarakan, Indonesia AirAsia also opened a new international route that connects Surabaya with Bangkok starting October 2, 2025. With this route, people in Surabaya and surrounding areas can be connected directly with various international destinations through the AirAsia Fly-Thru service, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Da Nang, Hanoi, to Tokyo.
“Indonesia AirAsia hopes that the presence of these new routes can support the government’s efforts in strengthening air connectivity while encouraging tourist movements.” And open up opportunities for economic and tourism growth in various destination cities,” Achmad concluded. [sources/photo special]
