Pontianak–Kuching Flights Return: AirAsia Revives Critical Link After Five Years

 

The reopening of the Pontianak–Kuching route marks a new chapter in cross-border mobility. Photo credit: Eremespe.

BORNEOTRAVEL: The direct air connection between Pontianak in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia has finally been restored. 

The route had been dormant since the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 12, 2025, AirAsia resumed service on the Pontianak–Kuching corridor. The revival marks the return of a vital link that had been severed for nearly five years.

The first flight, AK1782, landed at Kuching International Airport at mid-day. It was greeted with a ceremonial water-cannon salute and cultural performances. The reception underscored the symbolic and practical importance of the restored route.

A Brief History of the Link

The Pontianak–Kuching connection is not new. For decades, travelers between West Kalimantan and Sarawak relied on direct flights. Over the years, various carriers operated the route, facilitating business mobility, family trips, and cross-border trade.

Everything changed in March 2020 when the COVID-19 crisis erupted. International travel restrictions shut down cross-border flights. Supadio Airport in Pontianak lost its international status, which effectively removed the route from regional networks. 

A trip that once took less than an hour now required a long and difficult overland journey or a detour through other cities. Land travel between Pontianak and the border was slow, unpredictable, and exhausting.

What Changed and Why Now

The turning point came in mid-2025. Indonesian authorities reinstated Supadio Airport’s international status. The move reopened the possibility of reconnecting Pontianak with regional hubs. About the same time, AirAsia announced its plan to revive the route. Beginning September 12, Pontianak would once again have direct access to Kuching as well as Kuala Lumpur.

Officials from both sides said the restoration was the result of months of negotiations. Delegations had visited Pontianak and Singkawang in late 2024 to lobby for the route’s return. For the people of West Kalimantan and Sarawak, this decision signals a renewed commitment to mobility, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

What It Means: Tourism, Trade, and Concerns

Tourism authorities in Sarawak predict major benefits. The state is targeting five million visitor arrivals this year. The restored route is expected to contribute significantly. Ecotourism, cultural tourism, and medical tourism may see rapid growth. Many travelers from West Kalimantan use Kuching as a gateway to health services and nature destinations.

The return of flights will also make travel easier for families, students, and cross-border workers. For many, this marks the end of an exhausting pandemic-era disruption. Yet, not everyone is optimistic. Local lawmakers in Pontianak warned that small-scale businesses may suffer. Roadside merchants in border towns such as Entikong and Aruk fear declining traffic as travelers switch from land to air. Transport operators worry that their routes will lose passengers.

The revival of flights is widely welcomed, but the ripple effects will not be evenly distributed. Some sectors may struggle to adjust.

The New Flight Schedule

As of the reopening, the route is served by two daily flights in each direction. AirAsia operates AK1782 and AK1784 from Pontianak to Kuching, and AK1781 and AK1783 from Kuching to Pontianak. In addition, the Pontianak–Kuala Lumpur route is now available four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

For most travelers, this means faster and more predictable options. The flight takes less than an hour. The road journey can stretch to more than five hours under poor conditions. Travelers no longer need to choose between long land routes and costly multi-city itineraries.

What the Reopening Signals

The resumption of flights between Pontianak and Kuching symbolizes a broader effort to rebuild regional connectivity in post-pandemic Borneo. For Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province and Malaysia’s Sarawak state, the route represents cultural familiarity, shared geography, and longstanding economic ties.

It also highlights how infrastructure decisions can reshape a region. Restoring an airport’s international status, combined with a carrier’s willingness to commit aircraft and crew, can revive economic corridors that had been dormant for years. At the same time, the development raises familiar dilemmas. Progress benefits many, yet some communities may be left behind.

Still, for families, professionals, medical travelers, and tourists, the message is clear. Borneo is becoming easier to navigate again. After a long pause, skies that were once closed are open.

The reopening of the Pontianak–Kuching route marks a new chapter in cross-border mobility. It restores not just convenience but the promise of renewed economic activity and human connection. The coming years will show whether that promise is fulfilled and whether the benefits reach all who depend on this fragile corridor across Borneo.

by: Rangkaya Bada