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SULTAN Mahmud Badaruddin (SMB) II International Airport in Palembang recorded encouraging performance throughout the first half of 2026. Both aircraft movements and passengers increased compared to the same period last year. This indicates continued growth in aviation activity in South Sumatra.
Data from PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (Persero) shows that from January to June 2026, SMB II Airport handled 9,781 aircraft movements, a 4.30% increase compared to the 9,378 movements in the first half of 2025.
Of this number, domestic flights dominated with 9,069 movements, while international flights recorded 712 movements. Growth was also evident in passenger numbers. Throughout the first half of 2026, SMB II Airport handled 1,371,262 passengers, a 1.20% increase compared to the 1,355,008 passengers in the same period the previous year.
In detail, domestic passengers reached 1,274,824, while international passengers totaled 96,438. Domestic routes, including Jakarta, Batam, Kualanamu, and Pangkal Pinang, remain the international destinations with the highest number of passengers from SMB II Airport in Palembang.
According to SMB II Airport General Manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, he expressed his appreciation to all service users, business partners, and stakeholders who have supported the airport’s operations, enabling it to record positive growth.
“This is the result of the synergy and trust of all stakeholders. We thank you for your continued support of SMB II Airport,” said Ahmad, Thursday (July 16, 2026).
He also explained that Angkasa Pura Indonesia will continue to improve service quality, expand connectivity by opening new routes, and strengthen collaboration with various parties to support economic growth and the tourism sector in South Sumatra.
“With this positive trend, SMB II Airport is optimistic that it can continue to strengthen its role as the main air transportation gateway in South Sumatra while simultaneously encouraging increased public mobility and economic activity in the region,” Ahmad concluded. [JPNN.com]
