From winter to flights: the Ministry of Transport allowed the expansion of direct flights to Indonesia

Russian and Indonesian airlines have opportunities to expand the geography of flights, the Ministry of Transport told Izvestia. The Indonesian side suggests considering flights to Jakarta. This, in particular, will make it possible to establish business cooperation, as well as increase the flow of tourists to Russia. In addition, Aeroflot may increase the number of weekly direct flights from Moscow to Bali to four this winter. The launch of new routes, however, will depend on the growth of tourist traffic, the ministry noted. How relations between Russia and Indonesia are developing is in the Izvestia article.

Russia and Indonesia may expand the geography of flights

Russians' interest in holidays in Indonesia continues to grow. From January to October of this year, more than 178 thousand Russians visited the country, according to the data of the country's main directorate of immigration. The indicator increased by 29.9% compared to last year. Bali remains the most popular destination. Currently, three direct Aeroflot flights depart there every week from Moscow, and the airline is already preparing to increase their number to four during the winter season.

Photo: Global Look Press/Muhammad Fauzy/ZUMAPRESS.com

However, the parties are interested in expanding the geography of flights. This was discussed back in April at a meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta. The Indonesian side, in particular, is interested in launching direct flights from Moscow to Jakarta.

— Cooperation in the field of air transport between Russia and Indonesia is carried out on the basis of intergovernmental agreements and subsequent agreements of the aviation authorities. The current regulatory framework gives the airlines of both countries the opportunity to expand the geography of flights. Specific plans to expand and launch new flights depend on the interest and capabilities of airlines, as well as the demand for transportation, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation told Izvestia.

Island of Approach: Russia and Japan discuss resumption of direct flights

Even despite their absence, the tourist flow between the countries has been growing significantly for the second year in a row.

Now, to get to Jakarta from Moscow, you have to make a stop in Chinese Haikou. Tickets with a long night transfer will cost 22 thousand rubles, and the journey will take more than a day. The flight with a two-hour transfer to Abu Dhabi will take a total of just over 16 hours, but will cost about 53 thousand.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Filippov

— Flights from Moscow to Jakarta would be primarily interesting for increasing the tourist flow of Indonesians to Russia, as well as for business tourism. Discussions about these flights have been going on for many years, but the project has not yet been implemented, and Indonesian companies could help with this. In conditions of fleet shortage, Jakarta is not the primary destination for Russian carriers; Denpasar is more in demand in the current conditions,— Dmitry Gorin, Vice President of the PCT, tells Izvestia.

Earlier, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said that the country was really counting on a new route in the interests of business development. The Ministry of Tourism shares this point of view.

"Jakarta is the same megacity as Moscow. I was there and saw how huge this city is," said the deputy head of the department, Madame Ayu Martini.

Now tourists from Southeast Asian countries are actively considering Russia for their travels. In this regard, the appearance of a direct flight from Jakarta would be beneficial for increasing the interest of the Russian Federation as a tourist destination.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov

— There are active contacts at the level of economy, trade and industry between the Russian and Indonesian business circles. If Russian tourists have already adapted to connecting flights, foreign tourists prefer direct flights. The Russian Federation is now open for inbound tourism. If the transportation issue is resolved, the flow of tourists will definitely increase," said Dmitry Gorin.

Relations between Russia and Indonesia

The expansion of air traffic is likely, as political and economic relations between Russia and Indonesia are currently on the rise. On December 3, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov announced that by the end of the year, Vladimir Putin intends to receive Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto in the Kremlin. Prior to that, the heads of state met in June at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The parties discussed political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, the main topics of the regional and global agenda, and also adopted a declaration on strategic partnership. And this is not Subianto's first visit to the Russian Federation: he also came to talks with the Russian president while still in the status of defense minister.

Just a few days ago, a delegation of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation visited Indonesia. Among other things, the senators visited the campus of Indonesia University, where they met with students studying Russian and with the university's leadership, as well as with the country's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon. Last month, the Russian government instructed the Ministry of Education and Science to sign an agreement with Indonesia on mutual recognition of education, qualifications and academic degrees.

A detachment of Pacific Fleet ships in the port of Surabaya in Indonesia

Photo: TASS/Pacific Fleet Press Service

The parties paid great attention to security coordination. Moscow notes the special importance of cooperation with Indonesia at sea. In November 2024, the first joint naval exercises of the ships of the Russian Navy and the Indonesian Navy Orruda-2024 took place. In the Java Sea, the crews of the ships conducted maneuvers and tested communications, conducted an inspection of suspicious vessels, and also released a vessel seized by conditional terrorists. Earlier, Nikolai Patrushev, Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board, suggested considering the possibility of creating a joint shipbuilding cluster. During a working trip to Indonesia in November, the Russian presidential aide also discussed with colleagues the technology of small modular nuclear power plants designed by Rosatom State Corporation.

Atmosphere of openness: Japan and South Korea are waiting for direct flights to Russia

Both carriers and public organizations are calling for the restoration of air traffic.

Russia actively cooperates with Indonesia on international platforms. In 2025, the country finally joined the BRICS as a full member, turning the association into a "top ten". It recently became known that Jakarta plans to send $1 billion to the New BRICS Development Bank (NDB). This step, as emphasized by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlanggu Hartarto, reflects Indonesia's active role in strengthening cooperation between the States of the Global South.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the XVII BRICS Summit

Photo: TASS/AP

Moscow and Jakarta are also cooperating within the framework of the EAEU. On December 4, the Russian Cabinet approved the free trade agreement between the Union and Indonesia. The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council made the decision to start negotiations on the FTA back in May 2022, and all this time the parties have been conducting intensive negotiations. The result demonstrates Indonesia's desire to strengthen cooperation not only with Russia, but also with its friendly countries in general.