Batik Air to serve new Pontianak-Kuala Lumpur international route

West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan confirmed that a new international flight route from Pontianak City, West Kalimantan to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will begin operating on Jan. 5, 2026. He conveyed the information after the governor received a visit from Lion Air Group Corporate Communations Strategic Danang Mandala Prihantoro at the West Kalimantan Governor's Office in Pontianak City on Dec. 29, 2025.

"Alhamdulillah, Batik Air, part of the Lion [Air] Group, has officially announced the opening of a new international flight route connecting Pontianak (PNK) directly with Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia by Jan. 5, 2026,. This strategic step is expected to spur economic growth and tourism in the region," said Ria.

He stated that the inaugural flight on this route by a Batik Air aircraft will fly from Kuala Lumpur to Pontianak on Jan. 5, 2026, and vice versa from Pontianak to Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 6, 2026.

"Initially, this service will be available three times a week. The aircraft [for this route] will undergo a remain overnight (RON) procedure, or stay overnight in Pontianak before returning to Malaysia the next day," she said.

Lion Air Group's Danang explained that this route is more than just a connection between two cities, it is also an international gateway for the people of West Kalimantan.

"By transiting in Kuala Lumpur, people from Pontianak now have direct access to more than 40 other international destinations," he explained.

Danang continued that several prime destinations that would be available for people completing the flight route include China's Guangzhou and Beijing, as well as East and South Asian routes such as Japan and India, and religious tourism destinations that provide easy access for Umrah travel.

In addition to international routes, Lion Air Group is committed to strengthening its domestic network in West Kalimantan to support inter-regional transportation mobility. Currently, Pontianak City is connected to other regions within West Kalimantan, such as the regencies of Ketapang, Kapuas Hulu, and Sintang.

Danang also emphasized that this transportation connectivity will be expanded to major cities in Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, Balikpapan, and Makassar. This integration of domestic and international routes is expected to provide tangible benefits for businesses and investors, particularly in facilitating investment access to West Kalimantan. The new flight route is also expected to benefit the tourism sector and streamline the flow of goods and services.

"Therefore, facilitating connectivity is considered a key factor in accelerating regional economic growth and providing convenience for the local community, both for family and business purposes," he concluded.