3 Indonesian airports certified international in bid to join world's best by 2029

Indonesia has recently certified three more airports to meet international standards, bringing its total number of global-standard airports to 20. This development supports the country's broader ambition to become one of the world's leading aviation hubs by 2029.

According to Iwan Winaya Mahdar, General Director of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport in Palembang, the newly certified airports include SMB II Airport in Palembang, HAS Hanandjoeddin Airport in Bangka Belitung, and General Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang.

This move comes after a significant policy change in April 2024, when the Indonesian government issued a decree to reduce the number of international airports from 34 to 17. The decision aimed to streamline operations, concentrate investments in airports with higher international traffic, and enhance the overall quality of airport services.

To meet its 2029 goal of having airports ranked among the world’s top 10, Indonesia is focusing on improvements in airport infrastructure, implementation of advanced technology, and raising the standard of customer service. However, ensuring consistently high service quality across all certified airports remains a challenge.

Indonesia is home to more than 600 airports spread across its vast archipelago. By prioritizing investment and development in its 20 most important international airports, the government hopes to better manage resources and significantly enhance the travel experience for international passengers.