Batik Air and AirAsia Boost Southeast Asia Tourism with New Flights to Palembang, Bangkok, and Borneo
SOUTHEAST ASIA – Air connectivity across Southeast Asia is accelerating with Batik Air Malaysia and AirAsia Indonesia launching new routes designed to enhance regional tourism, open access to emerging destinations, and provide seamless travel for both leisure and business passengers. These strategic expansions come as airlines respond to growing travel demand and renewed interest in cross-border and domestic tourism.
Batik Air Launches Daily Kuala Lumpur–Palembang Service
Starting 12 September 2025, Batik Air Malaysia will operate daily direct flights between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport (PLM) in Palembang, Indonesia. Flight OD362 departs Kuala Lumpur at 20:00 and arrives in Palembang at 20:30 local time. The return service, OD363, leaves Palembang at 07:30 and reaches Kuala Lumpur by 10:10.
The route will be serviced by a Boeing 737-800, offering a 90-minute international journey and a comfortable economy-class experience. The launch is part of Batik Air’s ongoing strategy to increase regional access to South Sumatra, a destination famed for its cultural sites like the Ampera Bridge, vibrant river markets, and nearby eco-attractions such as Lake Ranau and Pagar Alam’s tea plantations.
According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Kuala Lumpur International Airport handled over 28 million passengers in 2024, making it one of Southeast Asia’s busiest hubs. This new route aims to further position KLIA as a critical gateway for intra-ASEAN travel.
AirAsia Indonesia Adds Surabaya–Bangkok and Borneo Routes
AirAsia Indonesia is expanding its regional footprint with new international and domestic services beginning in October 2025.
Surabaya–Bangkok Route Starts 2 October 2025
AirAsia will launch direct flights between Surabaya’s Juanda International Airport (SUB) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok.
- Flight QZ330 departs Surabaya at 13:30 and arrives in Bangkok at 17:50.
- The return flight, QZ331, leaves Bangkok at 18:25 and lands in Surabaya at 22:35.
Operated by the Airbus A320, the 4-hour flight provides Indonesian travelers greater access to Thailand’s bustling capital, while offering Thai tourists a direct link to East Java, home to Mount Bromo, Malang, and rich Javanese culture.
New Access to Borneo: Tarakan and Tanjung Redeb
From 1 October 2025, AirAsia will begin connecting Surabaya to Tarakan and Tanjung Redeb, two remote yet ecologically and culturally rich towns in North Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.
- QZ770 flies Surabaya – Balikpapan – Tarakan, departing at 05:10 and arriving in Tarakan by 09:30.
- Return QZ771 leaves Tarakan at 10:00 and arrives in Surabaya by 12:20 (via Balikpapan).
- QZ772 operates to Tanjung Redeb on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, taking off at 05:10 and landing at 09:30, with a short stop in Balikpapan.
- QZ773 returns at 10:00, arriving in Surabaya at 11:10.
These new services significantly improve accessibility to remote eastern Indonesia. The routes are expected to boost eco-tourism in the Derawan Islands, support government efforts to integrate North Kalimantan’s remote communities, and promote investment and trade.
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, better aviation links to Kalimantan are vital for equitable regional development and are part of the broader effort to support Indonesia’s new capital city, Nusantara, which is under development in East Kalimantan.
Regional Impact: Tourism, Trade, and Post-Pandemic Recovery
The network expansions by Batik Air and AirAsia signal a renewed push to rebuild and strengthen Southeast Asia’s travel infrastructure following the pandemic years. With international tourism steadily returning, airlines are realigning their route maps to match new demand patterns.
Tourism Benefits
- South Sumatra: The Kuala Lumpur–Palembang connection enhances cross-border tourism, encouraging Malaysians to explore Sumatra’s historic cities and nature-rich hinterlands.
- Thailand–Indonesia travel: The Surabaya–Bangkok route is a key link for Thai business travelers and holidaymakers seeking unique Indonesian destinations.
- North Kalimantan: The Borneo routes offer greater integration for isolated provinces, supporting eco-tourism and sustainable development.
These services align with ASEAN’s broader regional tourism goals, including the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2025, which promotes greater connectivity, sustainable growth, and cultural exchange across the bloc.
Economic Significance
New routes improve logistics and ease of movement for professionals, investors, and local businesses. They also create downstream benefits such as job creation in hospitality, airport services, and local transport.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) projects over 35 million international arrivals in 2025, while Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism targets 14 million foreign visitors, with a focus on diversifying destination options beyond Bali and Jakarta.
Conclusion
With Batik Air’s Kuala Lumpur–Palembang route and AirAsia’s direct flights from Surabaya to Bangkok, Tarakan, and Tanjung Redeb, Southeast Asia’s airspace is getting a strategic makeover. These new connections support tourism, unlock underexplored destinations, and foster deeper cross-border ties.
As demand for regional travel surges, these airline expansions reinforce the vision of a more connected, accessible, and vibrant Southeast Asia, empowering millions to explore the region’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and opportunities.
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