Sunday, 06 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya has urged Garuda Indonesia to resume direct flights from Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang to Binaka Airport in Gunungsitoli on Nias Island. The North Sumatra Provincial Government views the resumption of the route as an important opportunity to strengthen connectivity to the Nias Islands while creating new opportunities for economic growth, tourism and investment.
Surya made the appeal when he received Garuda Indonesia Deputy President Director Thomas Oentoro and his delegation at his office on the ninth floor of the North Sumatra Governor's Office at Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
According to Surya, air connectivity plays an important role in accelerating regional development. The North Sumatra Provincial Government wants to ensure that areas that are still lagging behind in development have better access to transportation.
"If possible, there should be a Kualanamu–Nias flight again. We want to support regions that are still lagging behind in development. One indicator is an increasing number of flights to these areas," Surya said.
He considers the resumption of a direct flight from Kualanamu to Nias a potential step toward improving public access while accelerating economic development. Easier air access could also help regional governments implement various development programs more effectively.
Surya said the Nias Islands continue to face various development challenges, including poverty and extreme poverty. The North Sumatra Provincial Government wants to address these issues through more targeted development and greater attention to regions requiring special support.
"We want to focus development on areas that need it. We hope that in 2027 and 2028 there will be no regions in North Sumatra that are still left behind in development," he said.
From Surya's perspective, improving air connectivity is not merely about passenger mobility. Direct flight routes could also increase a region's ability to attract tourists and investors.
With more accessible flight connections, people from Medan and other regions would have a more efficient way to travel to Nias. Businesses, the tourism sector and various economic activities across the Nias Islands could also benefit.
Surya also sees the development of flight networks from Medan to various regions across Indonesia as an opportunity to strengthen North Sumatra's position as one of the gateways for economic activity outside Java.
"Expanding flight connections from Medan to various regions in Indonesia will have an impact on investment. North Sumatra will increasingly have investment opportunities outside Java," he said.
In his view, transportation connectivity must go hand in hand with government efforts to develop the economic potential of individual regions. Therefore, better connections to areas such as Nias would not only benefit local communities but could also provide businesses with broader access to markets and investment opportunities.
In addition to calling for the Kualanamu–Nias route to be resumed, Surya asked Garuda Indonesia to use its flight services to further promote North Sumatra's various potentials.
He sees an opportunity for the airline to introduce the region's culinary specialties, music, arts and cultural diversity to people from different parts of Indonesia as well as international tourists.
Surya referred to passengers' experiences on flights from Medan to Jakarta or Bali. During a flight, passengers can be introduced to the cultural elements of particular regions through offerings such as music or food.
According to Surya, a similar approach could be used to showcase North Sumatra's cultural diversity. Such promotion could help increase awareness of regional products while strengthening North Sumatra's appeal as a tourist destination.
"We want Batak music and music typical of North Sumatra to become better known. The same applies to regional food. This can be part of promoting regional products," he said.
Surya hopes the North Sumatra Provincial Government and Garuda Indonesia will further intensify their cooperation in developing air connectivity. In addition to supporting economic activities and tourism, better connectivity would also improve the mobility of the regional government in carrying out its duties across various areas.
He emphasized that strengthening transportation connectivity requires special attention. The development of a region depends not only on infrastructure within the area itself, but also on how easily the region can be reached from outside and how effectively it is connected to other areas.
Garuda Indonesia Deputy President Director Thomas Oentoro welcomed the various suggestions put forward by the North Sumatra Provincial Government. He said Garuda Indonesia was ready to support efforts to expand air connectivity in North Sumatra.
Garuda Indonesia currently operates seven flight connections from Medan. In addition to Garuda Indonesia, Citilink also operates several routes from Medan to various regions.
Thomas explained, however, that the limited aircraft fleet remains one of Garuda Indonesia's challenges in expanding its route network. Of the airline's approximately 140 aircraft, some are still undergoing maintenance and repairs.
This situation requires the airline to take available fleet capacity into account when planning new routes. Nevertheless, Thomas assured that the suggestions from the North Sumatra Provincial Government would continue to be discussed with the Garuda Indonesia team.
"The suggestions put forward will be taken into consideration as a basis. Together with the team, we will look for solutions to develop routes and improve connectivity from Medan," he said.
The meeting opens up further opportunities for discussions on expanding the flight network from Medan, including the possible resumption of the direct Kualanamu–Nias connection. The North Sumatra Provincial Government hopes the subsequent discussions will produce solutions that meet the public's transportation needs while strengthening economic activity in regions that require accelerated development.
Surya was accompanied at the meeting by North Sumatra Provincial Communication and Informatics Agency Head Erwin Hotmansah Harahap, North Sumatra Provincial Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency Head Nubaiti Harahap, North Sumatra Transportation Agency Secretary Rochani Litiloly, and North Sumatra Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Marketing Division Head Dedi Arian Rizki Siregar.
Representing Garuda Indonesia were Strategic Management Office Expert for JKTDU Makiyah Rachmawati, Garuda Indonesia Medan General Manager Bobby Pratama Saragih, and other Garuda Indonesia Medan representatives.
The meeting between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and Garuda Indonesia was part of efforts to strengthen air connectivity across North Sumatra. The regional government hopes that the expansion of the flight network will not be limited to improving mobility, but will also have a direct impact on more balanced regional development, increasing tourist arrivals, promoting regional products, and opening new investment opportunities in North Sumatra, particularly across the Nias Islands. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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