Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - The Government of Riau Islands Province is seeking regular international flights to be served at the Raja Haji Fisabilillah (RHF) Airport in Tanjungpinang, which recently gained its international airport status back after being suspended in 2023.

"We are pushing for regular international flights at RHF Airport because previously, there were only charter flights from China," Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad said in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, on Sunday.

According to him, regular international flights can boost investment in the tourism sector, especially in Tanjungpinang, as the capital of Riau Islands.

He noted that the return of RHF Airport's international airport status is an opportunity that should not be wasted. Therefore, the operations of regular international flights must be prepared as soon as possible.

With the operations of RHF International Airport, he said, foreign tourists can land directly in Tanjungpinang and Bintan without transiting in Batam or Singapore.

The Government of Riau Islands Province is also seeking a visa-free policy for three priority countries, namely China, South Korea, and India.

He stated that, especially for China, there is a promising prospect to boost foreign tourist arrivals in Tanjungpinang, especially considering the good communication established between the Riau Islands government and the Chinese government.

The provincial government also continues to improve the tourism facilities and strengthen promotion, as well as holding international events to attract tourists.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia for the RHF Airport Branch Office, Agung Brahmantyo, said the RHF Airport has a maximum capacity of one million passengers per year, but in 2024, the number of passengers only reached 264 thousand.

"We are ready to reactivate the international facilities, including the counters for immigration, customs and excise, and quarantine. The airport's certificate will be adjusted from domestic to international," he remarked.

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