Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang Launches International Flights with AirAsia Route
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SEMARANG, Investortrust.id — Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang has officially begun serving international flights, marked by the inaugural AirAsia service on the Kuala Lumpur–Semarang route on Friday, Sept. 4, 2025. The airline will operate seven weekly flights.
Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi said the reopening of international routes in Semarang formed part of the government’s strategy to expand connectivity, boost tourism, and strengthen regional economies.
“The launch of this international route is expected to drive economic growth while broadening global connectivity networks,” Dudy said in an official statement on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen added that the direct flights would ease mobility and create new opportunities for tourism and local products. He noted that 8,553 passengers were recorded on the initial services.
“Does it make an impact? The data shows that in 2024 only 593 foreign tourists visited Central Java, and today we have already seen 8,553 passengers flying either from Central Java or Kuala Lumpur,” Taj Yasin said.
Rahadian D Yogisworo, CEO of InJourney Airports Regional IV, highlighted that before the pandemic in 2019, Ahmad Yani Airport handled nearly 230,000 international passengers. With the reopening of the Kuala Lumpur–Semarang route, he expressed optimism that Semarang would once again become a primary gateway to Central Java.
“We hope this Kuala Lumpur–Semarang service will be the beginning of wider connectivity, including the planned launch of a new route to Singapore this November,” Rahadian said.
Muhammad Masrofi, Head of the Central Java Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, projected that international flights would fuel significant growth in tourist arrivals.
“With the Kuala Lumpur–Semarang route already operating and Scoot planning to launch Semarang–Singapore services at the end of 2025, we are confident foreign tourist arrivals can grow by as much as 38%, higher than the 28% increase recorded between 2023 and 2024,” Masrofi said.
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