President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his desire to expand the number of international airports across Indonesia to accelerate regional economic activity and tourism. 

"It is still in the process of deeper review and analysis," Syamsu Rizal, Director of Aviation Navigation at the Ministry of Transportation, told a press conference at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that President Prabowo raised the issue during a limited cabinet meeting held via video conference from his private residence in Bukit Hambalang, Bogor on Friday, August 1, 2025.

“The President encourages the opening of as many international airports as possible in various regions to drive faster economic turnover and regional tourism,” Teddy said as quoted by Antara on Tuesday.

The limited cabinet meeting was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing President Prabowo to receive updates from ministers and monitor the progress of key national programs directly from Hambalang.

The current review follows a policy shift during the administration of former President Joko Widodo, which saw 18 airports lose their international status as of April 29, 2024, under Ministerial Decree No. 31/2024 on the Designation of International Airports.

The airports affected included:

● Maimun Saleh Airport (Sabang, Aceh);

● Sisingamangaraja XII Airport (Silangit);

● Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung);

● H.A.S Hanandjoeddin Airport (Tanjung Pandan);

● Husein Sastranegara Airport (Bandung);

● Adisutjipto Airport (Yogyakarta);

● Ahmad Yani Airport (Semarang);

● Adi Soemarmo Airport (Solo);

● Banyuwangi Airport (Banyuwangi);

● Supadio Airport (Pontianak);

● Juwata Airport (Tarakan);

● El Tari Airport (Kupang);

● Pattimura Airport (Ambon);

● Frans Kaisiepo Airport (Biak);

● Mopah Airport (Merauke);

● Syamsuddin Noor Airport (Banjarmasin);

● RH. Fisabilillah Airport (Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands);

● S.M. Badaruddin II Airport (Palembang).

President Prabowo has now emphasized the importance of accelerating infrastructure development in air transportation to enhance inter-regional connectivity, a move that could reverse the previous downsizing of international aviation facilities.