Umrah pilgrims dominate Borneo skies, Banjarmasin-KL route becomes gateway to Holy Land.
Source: Antara/Firman
At Syamsudin Noor International Airport in Banjarbaru, international passenger traffic is forming a distinctive pattern. Since the Banjarmasin-Kuala Lumpur route officially opened, Umrah pilgrims have emerged as the dominant face of every international flight from South Kalimantan.
This air journey isn't merely about connectivity, but a spiritual pathway linking Borneo to the Holy Land.
Stephanus Millyas Wardana, General Manager of InJourney Airports at Syamsudin Noor International Airport, revealed that most passengers on this international route are Umrah pilgrims continuing their journey to Saudi Arabia.
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"When we examine passenger profiles, they're predominantly Umrah travelers heading to Jeddah via Kuala Lumpur," stated Wardana in Banjarbaru on Monday.
Since its late October 2025 launch, this airport's first international route has shown promising performance.
AirAsia's flight load factor on the Banjarmasin-Kuala Lumpur route consistently ranges between 78% to 80%.
These figures reflect strong cross-border mobility needs, though largely supported by religious travel segments.
The dominance of Umrah pilgrims isn't coincidental. According to Millyas, South Kalimantan's Umrah departure cycle has stabilized and even exceeds rates in several other Indonesian regions.
This establishes Banjarmasin as a key pilgrimage hub from Eastern Indonesia.
Conversely, challenges remain regarding inbound international tourists from Kuala Lumpur to Banjarmasin.
Millyas acknowledges attracting international travelers to South Kalimantan's capital remains a collective task.
Banjarmasin's appeal hasn't yet matched Indonesia's more established tourist destinations.
Yet optimism persists. The high-load Kuala Lumpur route's success provides a crucial foundation for expanding international flight networks.
Millyas believes Syamsudin Noor International Airport has potential for new routes as airline and market confidence grows.
Hopes now turn to the future, where Banjarbaru's skies won't just connect pilgrims to holy sites, but open doors for global tourists to explore Banjarmasin's unique rivers, culture, and way of life.
He hopes for additional routes beyond Kuala Lumpur, such as to Singapore.
