Heaptalk, Jakarta — Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has revealed Indonesia and Russia’s plan to open a direct international flight route Moscow-Jakarta and vice versa. This plan was presented during the Russia-Indonesia Business Forum at the Raffles Jakarta Hotel, South Jakarta (04/14).
This forum has been held since 2018, bringing together businesspeople from Russia and Indonesia. It was temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and has now resumed. Airlangga stated that the economic partnership between Indonesia and Russia has become strategic amid today’s uncertain global conditions. Furthermore, Eurasia has emerged as one of the trade blocs both countries continue to pursue.
Among other topics, Airlangga encouraged people-to-people collaboration, including opening direct flights between key cities in both countries, such as Moscow, Bali, and Jakarta. This effort is expected to support business relations and further stimulate economic growth.
Encouraging people-to-people collaboration
“Secondly, we understand that the obstacles so far have been related to the payment system and trade. However, we encourage people-to-people collaboration, such as opening direct flights from Moscow to Bali. Of course, this people-to-people collaboration can continue with more flights to other destinations. One key way to support business between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and their partners is through direct flights from Moscow to Jakarta,” said Airlangga at a press conference after the forum (04/14).
During the forum, Airlangga discussed the direct flight plan, including Moscow-Jakarta and Moscow-Bali, with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The plan will be further detailed in upcoming discussions. Talks about this initiative began last year when Airlangga visited Moscow. Following that, Prabowo Subianto—before becoming president—also followed up on the plan during his visit to Moscow. Hence, Airlangga is optimistic that this initiative will come to fruition soon.
“I already asked the First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov that we should look into Jakarta. Because our objective is to create stronger business ties between Indonesia and Russia. So, the natural bridge is a Jakarta-Moscow connection—as soon as possible. When I went to Moscow in June 2024, it was followed up by President Prabowo. Moving forward, we will finalize it immediately,” he concluded.
