Wednesday, March 19, 2025
India and Indonesia boost travel ties as AirAsia Indonesia plans direct flights, enhancing tourism, trade, and seamless connectivity for Indian travelers.
With summer vacation fast approaching, families across India are finalizing their travel plans, with many setting their sights on international getaways. Among the top choices for Indian travelers, Southeast Asia continues to dominate, thanks to its seamless accessibility, visa-friendly policies, and breathtaking tourist attractions. One country that has seen a remarkable rise in popularity among Indian tourists is Indonesia.
India has rapidly emerged as one of Indonesia’s fastest-growing tourism markets, with over 700,000 Indian travelers visiting the archipelago in 2023 alone. Recognizing this growing demand, AirAsia Indonesia is gearing up to capitalize on the surge in Indian outbound travel by launching direct flights from key Indian cities. The airline’s planned expansion is set to strengthen connectivity between the two nations, providing travelers with more seamless flight options.
Industry insiders reveal that AirAsia Indonesia is currently assessing the feasibility of launching direct services from several Indian cities, with a primary focus on South India. Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad have been identified as the airline’s top choices, given their strong passenger traffic and strategic location near Indonesia. Additionally, Mumbai is also under consideration, contingent on operational and commercial viability.
The selection of these cities is driven by clear market dynamics. Bengaluru is a rapidly expanding aviation hub with rising international traffic, Chennai serves as a key gateway to Southeast Asia with strong tourism and business links, and Hyderabad has witnessed growing outbound travel demand to destinations like Indonesia.
Among Indonesia’s most sought-after destinations, Jakarta serves as a major business and leisure hub, while Bali remains an all-time favorite for Indian tourists. Known for its pristine beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and affordability, Bali consistently ranks as a top vacation choice. However, other destinations such as Yogyakarta and Lombok are also drawing increasing interest from Indian travelers, diversifying the tourism landscape.
AirAsia Indonesia’s anticipated routes are likely to focus on Jakarta and Bali, tapping into the strong demand for direct travel options.
India and Indonesia have recently reinforced their aviation ties through a newly signed bilateral agreement, paving the way for expanded air connectivity. The updated agreement eliminates prior restrictions on weekly flights, replacing them with a flexible seat-based capacity model. Airlines can now offer up to 9,000 one-way seats per week, potentially translating to around 50 direct flights between India and Indonesia. This development is expected to significantly enhance accessibility for both leisure and business travelers.
Despite the surge in Indian tourists to Indonesia, direct flight options remain limited. Currently, only Air India and IndiGo operate services to Jakarta and Bali, and existing capacities fall short of meeting the soaring demand. As a result, many Indian travelers are compelled to take connecting flights via hubs like Singapore and Malaysia.
By introducing direct flights, AirAsia Indonesia aims to fill this critical gap, streamlining travel between the two nations while fostering increased tourism and business exchanges.
AirAsia Indonesia operates a fleet of Airbus A320-200 aircraft, well-suited for short to medium-haul international routes. With 31 A320-200s currently in service and an additional 69 on order, the airline is positioned to expand its network efficiently. Routes such as Jakarta-Bengaluru, Jakarta-Chennai, and potential Mumbai operations align with AirAsia’s capabilities, making them viable additions to the airline’s growing portfolio.
If launched, these routes would mark a significant milestone, as no Indonesian airline has previously operated direct services to India. Industry analysts believe that this strategic move could reshape regional air travel, fostering stronger tourism ties, trade collaborations, and cultural exchanges between India and Indonesia.
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