Singapore-Belitung SEZ Flight Route Officially Opened
A regular international flight route from Singapore to the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Belitung Island has officially been opened. The low-cost carrier (LCC) Scoot, part of the Singapore Airlines group, made its inaugural landing at this priority Indonesian tourism destination on Sunday, 3 May 2026.
Scoot is now servicing direct flights from Changi Airport, one of Southeast Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, to Belitung twice a week. Daniel Alexander Napitupulu, Director of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ, stated that the maiden flight was a success, with the cabin occupancy dominated by international tourists from Singapore.
This connectivity is supported by various facilities catering to foreign visitors. “Belitung has previously hosted G20 Ministerial, ASEAN Ministerial, and many other international events. Its tourism ecosystem infrastructure is already in excellent condition and of international quality,” he said when contacted via messaging app on Sunday, 3 May 2026.
Daniel noted that the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is no longer just popular with domestic tourists. The largest number of foreign visitors come from Singapore, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Korea, Australia, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Tourism in the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ also contributes to national foreign exchange earnings. Unlike industrial sector forex, which has a complex and time-consuming flow, tourism revenue penetrates to the individual level with a very short and rapid chain process.
In addition to generating forex for the country, the opening of this flight route is expected to stimulate the local economy. Daniel stated that the government is encouraging activities in the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ to actively collaborate with local communities. “Such as Afternoon Tea activities with the Arsel Community and honey farming with the Pelabo Community,” he said.
The government is also promoting business operators to partner with local vehicle providers and to enhance human resource quality to support local tourism. The Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is actively collaborating with local SMEs such as Batik Sepiak and BICA Ceramics to be part of the tourism activities programme for visitors to the SEZ.
Furthermore, Daniel stated that amid Middle East geopolitical uncertainties, the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ continues to synergise with the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Tourism, and local government officials to realise regional international flights with Scoot.
“Today, one by one, the future of tourism as a driver of economic growth and job provider is being realised,” Daniel said. The return of international flights, according to him, is not merely the landing of an aircraft, but the takeoff of Belitung’s economy onto the global stage.
Citing the official website of the National SEZ Council, the designation of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ was carried out through Government Regulation Number 6 of 2016. This tourism SEZ has geostrategic advantages, located between Indonesia and ASEAN countries, which are its captive market targets. The SEZ, inaugurated by the 7th President Joko Widodo on 14 March 2019, is included in the 10 priority tourism destinations.