Lion Air Plans to Launch Makassar-Kuala Lumpur Route

Lion Air Group plans to launch the Makassar-Kuala Lumpur international route as part of its service expansion to reach more passengers. Danang Mandala Prihantoro, Head of Corporate Communications Strategy at Lion Air Group, said the company had strategic considerations for the policy, including enhanced connectivity to over 25 other destination cities via the route. “The Kuala Lumpur route is designed to offer options for those wishing to perform Umrah, with flights connecting via Batik Air to Saudi Arabia,” he said at the BookCabin Travel Fair 2026 press conference. Beyond religious travel, he added, the route also targets tourism and shopping. The airline hopes to attract more international tourists via this route. The airline is also aiming to diversify international entry points, which have long been dominated by Jakarta, to make international travel to Makassar faster and more direct. “We aim to bring tourists from countries such as India, China, Japan, and Vietnam directly to Makassar via Kuala Lumpur without transiting through Jakarta first,” he said. Regarding the Makassar-Jeddah international route, he added, it will continue as usual with six weekly flights. The airline is optimistic the Makassar-Jeddah route will continue to grow, given the enthusiasm of South Sulawesi residents for performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.