Seaplane Service Aims to Elevate Banyuwangi as Premium Travel Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Banyuwangi - A new premium seaplane service is positioning Banyuwangi, East Java, as a strategic aviation gateway, promising to extend tourism reach across eastern Indonesia. Officials and airline executives say this development presents the regency as fully ready for global visitors.

Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani welcomed Santai Seaplane’s decision to base its exclusive charter operations in Banyuwangi, saying the service will broaden the area’s tourism appeal and help raise its profile.

“We hope the presence of this premium aerial tourism service will further expand Banyuwangi’s tourism reach and demonstrate Banyuwangi’s readiness as a global destination,” she said in Banyuwangi on Thursday, January 11, 2026.

Santai Seaplane, an amphibious aircraft operator that is part of Seaplane Asia, has chosen Banyuwangi as its first Indonesian home base to run a premium sightseeing concept. Seaplane Asia CEO Denis Keller said Banyuwangi’s strategic location as the gateway between Java and Bali makes it ideal for developing tourism connectivity.

“Banyuwangi is a gateway connecting Java–Bali, so the opportunity to open tourism connectivity is very large,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Keller highlighted Banyuwangi’s comprehensive tourism ecosystem—international‑standard natural destinations, rich cultural attractions and supporting facilities—which he said will facilitate route expansion to western and eastern parts of Indonesia.

He described the seaplane offering as more than transport. “Our seaplane concept is not merely a means of transportation, but an engaging and special flight experience. We want to bring quality tourism by delivering more premium experiences in Banyuwangi.”

Company executives also underlined operational versatility. Besides premium sightseeing charters, Santai Seaplane can serve medical evacuation and cargo missions, expanding its utility beyond leisure travel.

CEO of Santai Seaplane Wirmandi Sugriat said the service will begin operating from Banyuwangi in July and has already established its home base at Banyuwangi Airport.

“The aircraft type used is the Cessna Caravan 208 EX Amphibian, one of the aircraft types that is very robust in safety and also offers high comfort,” he said.

Officials and airline leaders expect the seaplane service to improve access to remote coastal and island sites, attract higher‑spending tourists, and support local tourism businesses. Additionally, the service is set to bolster emergency response capacity through its amphibious operations. ***