Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, is pushing for the establishment of a direct flight route between Moscow and Jakarta. The move aims not only to enhance people-to-people cooperation but also to support business leaders from both nations.
In a statement at an event, Airlangga highlighted the importance of direct flights between Moscow and key Indonesian destinations to foster stronger ties between the two countries.
“We encourage people-to-people collaboration. Among other things, direct flights from Moscow to Bali. And of course, this people-to-people collaboration can be done with flights to other destinations,” Airlangga said, as quoted by Merdeka.com on April 14, 2025.
The Coordinating Minister revealed that he had already discussed the plan with First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov. The two leaders are set to explore the proposal in more detail in the coming weeks.
Airlangga also emphasised that the proposed Moscow-Jakarta flight route is a key priority as it will facilitate increased business activities between the Indonesian and Russian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and their respective partners.
“To support business between Kadin and its partners, one of the important things is direct flights from Moscow to Jakarta,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Indonesia Business Forum in Jakarta, as quoted by IDNTimes.
According to Airlangga, Jakarta and Moscow are vital hubs in the bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and Russia.
Thus, the opening of a direct flight route is seen as a strategic move that could significantly boost commercial exchange. “I will ask Manturov to consider Jakarta because our goal is to build business cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, so the natural bridge is Jakarta-Moscow,” he explained.
Airlangga expressed confidence that the process of opening the route could be completed swiftly, potentially even before the end of the year. He cited the quick establishment of the Moscow-Bali flight route, which was achieved in a short time following his visit to Moscow in June 2024.
“When I went to Moscow in June 2024, this was followed up by the President at that time Mr. Prabowo and we completed it quickly. Of course, we can improve it quickly. As soon as possible and as soon as possible,” he remarked.
Indonesia’s Role as a BRICS Member
Echoing Airlangga’s optimism, the Director-General of the Russian Export Center, Veronika Nikishina, underscored the importance of the Indonesian market for Russia. She expressed strong confidence in Indonesia’s economic growth and its vast potential in strengthening trade relations between the two countries.
“We also consider that the Indonesian market is very important for Russia because we know that Indonesia is growing very fast and is a very wide market for Russian products,” Nikishina said.
She also pointed out Russia’s high regard for Indonesia’s economic capacity and its hopes for a deeper presence in the Indonesian market. Nikishina further noted that the bilateral relationship between the two nations holds substantial potential for growth, particularly following Indonesia’s recent membership in BRICS.
“We really welcome that earlier this year Indonesia entered BRICS, so we really hope that through the BRICS route also, the relationship between the two countries will also greatly increase. And actually, BRICS is a kind of driver of increased cooperation between our two countries,” she continued.
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Nikishina also stressed that the current trade figures between Indonesia and Russia do not fully reflect the maximum potential of the two countries’ economic relationship. She expressed optimism that the ongoing business mission would help both nations harness their economic capabilities to the fullest.
“Because we consider that Indonesia’s capabilities are enormous, we think this business mission can also greatly contribute so that the economic capabilities of the two countries in the field of cooperation can be used as much as possible,” she said.
Furthermore, she highlighted the importance of a mutually beneficial relationship between business partners from both nations.
“We really hope that our Indonesian partners are also successful on the Russian market. From our side, we will make everything so that our partners in Indonesia are very satisfied with this cooperation and so that the relationship between us is really very friendly again,” she concluded.
The proposed Moscow-Jakarta flight route and the enhanced economic collaboration between Russia and Indonesia, particularly in light of Indonesia’s recent inclusion in BRICS, signal a new chapter in the growing bilateral ties between the two nations.
