El Tari Kupang Airport Pushes for Flights to Darwin and Timor Leste

El Tari International Airport in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has declared its readiness to open international flight routes to Timor Leste and Darwin, Australia. The statement was made by General Manager of El Tari International Airport Kupang, Teguh Darmawan Saiman, following a stunting prevention aid distribution event by InJourney Airports at the Naimata Subdistrict Office on Tuesday (21/7/2026).

Teguh stated that direct flights to the two countries would strengthen NTT’s connectivity with the outside world. “For future plans, we are pushing for the opening of international routes to two countries, namely Timor Leste and Darwin. El Tari Airport is in principle ready to support these flight operations,” Teguh said.

According to him, the airport’s readiness extends beyond infrastructure. Cross-agency coordination has also been carried out to support international flights. “We have prepared various aspects, including supporting facilities and coordination with relevant parties such as Immigration. This is part of our commitment to bringing international flights to Kupang,” he explained.

Teguh believes that international flight routes will have a direct impact on regional economic growth. The expected positive effects include increased mobility of people and goods, as well as boosting the tourism and investment sectors in NTT.

Teguh expressed hope that the development plan for El Tari Airport as an international hub would continue to receive support from the regional government and all stakeholders, so that the realisation of the international route opening can be achieved soon. “With direct access to Timor Leste and Darwin, NTT is considered to be increasingly open as Indonesia’s gateway in the eastern region,” Teguh concluded.