Indonesia Opens Direct Singapore-Belitung Route to Attract Tourists

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - International access to Bangka Belitung’s tourism destinations is now more accessible. Direct flights from Singapore are expected to boost foreign tourist visits to this premier Indonesian destination.

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has partnered with an international private airline to launch the Singapore–Tanjung Pandan, Belitung flight route. The inaugural flight for this route is scheduled to begin on May 3, 2026, as part of a strategy to expand national tourism connectivity.

“The introduction of this new route is expected to increase visits by international tourists, particularly from the Singapore market, to one of Indonesia’s priority tourism destinations,” said Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, in an official statement in Jakarta on Thursday, May 14, as quoted by Antara.

She explained that flight services in the initial phase are scheduled twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. Each flight offers a capacity of up to 112 seats to accommodate both tourism and short-trip needs.

According to Ni Made, market response to the launch of this new route has been quite high. The occupancy rate for the inaugural flight was 73.2 percent, or 82 passengers.

“Belitung possesses very strong tourism potential that aligns with the preferences of Singaporean tourists, ranging from marine tourism, culinary experiences, to high-quality leisure activities. The launch of this route is a strategic step in expanding access for international tourists to Belitung,” she said.

Belitung has long been known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and distinctive granite rock formations. Island-hopping tours and exclusive vacation experiences are also considered major attractions for international tourists.

The Ministry, together with tourism stakeholders, is committed to strengthening promotion in the Singapore market. This step is being taken to increase awareness while maintaining passenger growth on this newest international route.

The launch of the direct Singapore–Belitung route is expected to strengthen Belitung’s position as a priority Indonesian tourism destination in the global market. The new connectivity is also expected to support economic growth and the local tourism sector. ***