Direct Jakarta-Kota Bharu Flights Begin as Kelantan Targets More Indonesian Tourists
PETALING JAYA: Kelantan has taken another major step in expanding its tourism industry with the launch of AirAsia’s direct flight connecting Jakarta and Kota Bharu, creating a new gateway for Indonesian travellers to explore Malaysia’s East Coast.
The inaugural service was celebrated at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) in Kota Bharu through a welcoming ceremony jointly organised by Tourism Malaysia, AirAsia, Tourism Kelantan, the Kelantan state government and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
The new route is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity while generating fresh opportunities in tourism, trade and economic cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia.
AirAsia flight AK2354, operated using an Airbus A320 aircraft with a seating capacity of 180 passengers, landed safely carrying 117 passengers, recording a load factor of around 63 per cent.
Most of the passengers on board were Indonesian visitors eager to explore Kelantan’s cultural attractions, while others included travellers from Singapore and Malaysia.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim described the launch as an important milestone in broadening access for Indonesian tourists to Malaysia’s East Coast region.
He said Indonesia remains one of Malaysia’s most important tourism markets and the new direct route is expected to significantly boost visitor arrivals.
“The Jakarta-Kota Bharu route is a positive development in strengthening bilateral ties.
“Indonesian travellers have a strong interest in cultural, heritage and nature-based tourism, and Kelantan has unique strengths in all of these areas,” he said.
Mohd Amirul Rizal added that the new service is also expected to support growth in medical tourism, educational exchanges and broader economic activities.
Meanwhile, Tourism Kelantan director Azwan Ab Rahman said the direct route will provide the state with a valuable platform to promote its tourism products to the Indonesian market.
He noted that Kelantan is well known for its distinctive culture and rich heritage, offering experiences that differ from other destinations in Malaysia.
“Travellers from Jakarta can now fly directly to Kota Bharu and explore attractions such as Pasar Siti Khadijah, Kampung Kraftangan and the historic Kampung Laut Mosque.
“They can also discover natural attractions like Stong Geopark, which is becoming increasingly popular among international visitors,” he said.
Azwan added that Kota Bharu has the potential to become an important transit hub due to its strategic location near the Thai border.
Visitors arriving in Kelantan can easily continue their journey to southern Thailand, including destinations such as Hat Yai, Narathiwat and Pattani.
The city also offers convenient access to popular East Coast islands including Perhentian Island, Redang Island and Kapas Island.
AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra said the airline remains committed to expanding its network by connecting destinations with strong growth potential.
According to him, AirAsia aims to stimulate tourism and economic growth by providing affordable and convenient air travel options.
“We believe this route will create new opportunities for local communities and international travellers alike.
“As an ASEAN airline, we will continue connecting important cities and regional destinations so that economic benefits can be shared more widely,” he said.
Meanwhile, MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the launch of the international route reflects the success of strategic investments in airport infrastructure.
He said the recent expansion of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport has increased its annual passenger handling capacity from 1.5 million to four million passengers.
“With the upgraded facilities and expanded capacity, Kota Bharu is now better positioned to welcome more international services and support future growth,” he said.
As of April 2026, Malaysia and Indonesia are connected by 634 weekly flights offering more than 114,800 seats.
The addition of the Jakarta-Kota Bharu route is expected to further strengthen tourism and economic ties while opening new growth opportunities for Kelantan in the years ahead.
