RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Jakarta Provincial Government has officially bolsters bilateral cooperation with the Malaysian state of Kelantan by opening a direct flight route from Kota Bharu to Jakarta, scheduled to operate starting June 16, 2026. This step is considered as a significant breakthrough in strengthening connectivity between the two Southeast Asian regions.

This announcement was made at the Kelantan Day event held in Jakarta on Thursday, May 14, 2025. The event served as a forum for stakeholders from both sides to strengthen diplomatic, culinary, and cultural ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, viewed the opening of this direct flight route as an opportune moment to deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries. Amidst current global pressure and uncertainty, he emphasized that opportunities for cooperation within the region should not be missed.

He believes that global uncertainty presents an opportune moment to be immediately seized in the region. "We are experiencing uncertainty at a global level, and we are looking at missing opportunities that have been within our region for quite some time, and that's why I think this is a very good opportunity," Havas said.

He also highlighted Kelantan's geographical position, directly bordering Southern Thailand, as a strategic advantage not enjoyed by many other regions. This location has the potential to make Kelantan a new regional hub in Southeast Asia, connecting Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand in an integrated tourism, cultural, and gastronomic corridor.

On the same occasion, the Minister of State for Tourism, Heritage, Arts, & Culture of Kelantan, Kamarudin bin Md Nor, introduced potential cooperation in the healthcare sector. He stated that Kelantan offers medical services, hospitals, and universities at 20–30 percent lower prices than other states, which is very attractive to Jakarta residents.

"Taking advantage of the facilities of hospitals, universities, their equipment, expertise, and everything else. But there are 20–30% discounts compared to those in Kuala Lumpur and Penang," Kamarudin said.

Technically, the direct Kelantan-Jakarta flight route will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, operating four times a week. This flight connects Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.

Travelers will be able to enjoy two destinations with just one flight, thanks to Kota Bharu's proximity to the Southern Thailand border. This direct route is expected to not only boost the flow of tourists and business people between Jakarta and Kelantan but also open up opportunities for broader collaboration in the fields of education, health, and investment.