Indonesia Urged to Launch Direct Paris–Jakarta Flight as French Tourist Numbers Surge

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PARIS, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s Ambassador to France, Mohamad Oemar, has called on Jakarta to swiftly open a direct flight route connecting Paris to Denpasar and Jakarta, highlighting the move as a competitive advantage to attract more tourists and bolster bilateral relations.

Speaking in Paris on Monday, July 14, 2025, Oemar said the number of French visitors to Indonesia had exceeded pre-pandemic levels, reaching approximately 302,000 last year—up from around 280,000 in 2019.

He stressed that a direct flight route would help accelerate that growth.

“French tourist arrivals to Indonesia are already increasing, and a direct Paris–Indonesia route would lift the numbers significantly,” he said.

Currently, French travelers typically transit through third countries such as Singapore or Gulf states before reaching Indonesia, which Oemar believes puts the country at a disadvantage compared to regional competitors.

“The ideal route, based on our analysis, is Paris–Denpasar–Jakarta–Paris. This would offer a major edge over flights that involve stopovers elsewhere,” he added.

French tourists are considered “big spenders,” he noted, and their presence brings substantial foreign exchange inflows to the Indonesian economy.

“French travelers are high-value tourists. They bring greater economic benefits due to their high spending habits,” said Oemar.

Green Light from Paris, Awaiting Indonesia's Move

Oemar said the French government had already responded positively to the proposal. A feasibility study was completed two years ago for national carrier Garuda Indonesia, projecting strong seat occupancy with just two wide-body flights per week.

However, a shortage of long-haul aircraft remains a hurdle for Garuda. Oemar emphasized that the opportunity is not limited to the state-owned airline alone.

“It’s not just Garuda. Lion Air, Citilink, and other Indonesian carriers also have potential to serve the route. There are no longer any regulatory barriers. The bilateral air agreement is in place, and it doesn’t have to start from the French side. The ball is now in Indonesia’s court,” he said.

He underscored that a direct flight would not only boost tourism but also enhance cooperation in culture, trade, investment, and strategic sectors between the two nations.

“This step aligns with our efforts to deepen Indonesia–France relations, especially following President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Indonesia and now President Prabowo’s visit to France,” Oemar concluded.