Anyway, Next Month Singapore-KEK Tanjung Kelayang is Just a Stone's Throw Away
Connectivity to Belitung Island and the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is improving, marked by the entry of a new Singapore-based airline offering direct flights from Singapore to Belitung.
Tanjung Kelayang SEZ Director Daniel Alexander stated that direct international flights to Belitung will commence on 3 May 2026, operated by Singapore’s Scoot Airline.
“In the near future, Belitung will be directly accessible from Singapore via Scoot starting 3 May 2026. So, from Singapore to Belitung, it can be reached in less than an hour,” Daniel said in Jakarta, quoted on Monday (20/4/2026).
Scoot Airline’s Singapore-Belitung flights are expected to operate routinely twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Daniel hopes that the presence of this Singapore-based international airline and direct flights will encourage other international airlines to follow suit, thereby increasing options for international travel to Belitung.
“We welcome the collaboration with Singapore’s Scoot Airline. We hope that in the future, other low-cost carriers (LCC) or full-service international airlines will take an interest in this route, so that more airlines are available, making ticket prices more competitive, which in turn can boost load factors and the volume of foreign tourists to Belitung,” he explained.
Not only direct international flights, Daniel also hopes that domestic airlines can increase, making domestic tourists more interested in Belitung due to more flight options.
“Our hope is for cross-ministerial synergy to provide real support for air connectivity in Belitung. In particular, we very much hope that national airlines can resume increasing the frequency of flights to Belitung,” he said.
What is at KEZ Tanjung Kelayang?
According to the official kek.go.id website, the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ was established via Government Regulation (PP) No 6/2016 and is located on Belitung Island. This tourism SEZ has geostrategic advantages, being situated between Indonesia and ASEAN countries, which are its captive market targets.
The SEZ was inaugurated by Indonesia’s 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on 14 March 2019, with a total area of 324.4 hectares (ha). The SEZ is projected to attract investments of Rp10.3 trillion and absorb 5,000 workers by 2036.
Daniel explained that they are developing a biodiversity area or centre for biological diversity, a sanctuary for flora and fauna species in the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ. Developing the biodiversity area, the main strength of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ remains its natural wealth recognised by the world.
“We have also developed a biodiversity centre, a hub for biological diversity, such as a sanctuary for tarsier fauna, pangolins, and sea turtles. Our main attraction is undoubtedly based on the world’s recognised natural wealth, namely the Belitung UNESCO Global Geopark with its various captivating geosites,” Daniel said at the Dharmawangsa Hotel in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4/2026).
“We are also gradually developing a sports centre, where some roads already accommodate bicycles, and perhaps there will be a padel court,” he added.