07 Mar 2026
Maros, March 7, 2026 – PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, Branch Office of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, continues to strengthen its role as the main aviation hub in Eastern Indonesia through the addition of new domestic routes by AirAsia starting March 7, 2026. This move further reinforces the strategic position of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport as a connectivity hub linking eastern and western Indonesia, while also supporting passenger mobility and broader logistics distribution.
This expansion also enhances connectivity to several cities in Sulawesi, including Kendari, Palu, and Luwuk, through connecting flights from Makassar. The operation of the Surabaya–Makassar route with frequencies of up to three flights daily serves as a key driver of this connectivity, further emphasizing Makassar’s role as a strategic distribution hub connecting western Indonesia with the eastern regions of the country.
The management of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport expressed appreciation for AirAsia’s expansion initiative as a form of commitment to strengthening the domestic flight network in Eastern Indonesia. This support aligns with joint efforts to encourage growth in the tourism and trade sectors, as well as cargo development, particularly for South Sulawesi’s leading commodities that have market potential extending to Kuala Lumpur and other international destinations through onward connectivity.
From an operational readiness perspective, the airport’s infrastructure capacity is considered more than adequate to support the additional frequencies and routes. Currently, parking stand utilization remains at around 16 movements per hour out of the total capacity of 30 available parking stands, leaving substantial room for future flight expansion. Flight slot arrangements are being managed through integrated coordination to ensure smooth, safe, and efficient air traffic flow.
The General Manager of Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport Branch Office, Mr. Minggus Gandeguai, stated that this route expansion marks an important momentum in strengthening air connectivity in Eastern Indonesia. “We highly appreciate AirAsia’s initiative, as the airline has long served the Makassar–Kuala Lumpur international route and is now expanding its domestic services. This presents significant potential in supporting connectivity to various cities across Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia,” he said.
Furthermore, Minggus added that the new routes are expected to provide direct benefits to the public, both in terms of more competitive ticket prices and easier cargo distribution. “We hope this service will offer more competitive pricing options while also supporting the shipment of the region’s leading commodities. Moving forward, we also hope Makassar can become an AirAsia home base for serving east-west connectivity across Indonesia, while further strengthening South Sulawesi’s tourism access to international markets,” he added.
Through strategic collaboration between the airport operator and the airline, Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport remains optimistic about further enhancing its role as the primary hub for Eastern Indonesia. The public is encouraged to make optimal use of this additional connectivity and to plan their journeys well in order to support smooth flight operations.
