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Singapore’s regional connectivity with Indonesia is set for a further lift as low cost carrier Scoot prepares to launch new direct flights from Changi Airport to Belitung and Pontianak in 2026, widening access to emerging leisure and trade hubs across the archipelago.
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New Routes Put Belitung and Pontianak on Singapore’s Route Map
Publicly available information shows that Scoot, the low cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will add Belitung and Pontianak to its Indonesian network as part of its 2026 schedule. Reports indicate that twice weekly flights between Singapore and Belitung are scheduled to begin on 3 May 2026, followed by three weekly services to Pontianak starting 29 June 2026. The new routes further consolidate Singapore’s role as a key air gateway into Indonesia, which is already one of Changi Airport’s largest country markets.
According to recent network updates covered by regional aviation and travel outlets, both routes will be operated from Singapore Changi using Scoot’s Embraer E190 E2 aircraft. The use of a smaller, fuel efficient narrowbody is seen in industry commentary as a way to make thinner regional routes viable while offering sufficient capacity for leisure and business traffic.
The Belitung link will reconnect Singapore with an island that previously had international services before the pandemic, while the Pontianak service will provide one of the few direct options between the city and Singapore. Travel industry coverage notes that, until now, most itineraries between Singapore and Pontianak have required a connection via other Indonesian or Malaysian hubs.
Belitung’s Tourism Ambitions Get a Direct Lift
Belitung, located off the eastern coast of Sumatra, has been positioning itself as an alternative beach destination to Indonesia’s more established hotspots. The island is known for its granite boulder lined beaches, clear waters and relatively low density of large scale resorts. Indonesian tourism agencies and local authorities have promoted Belitung as a quieter complement to Bali and Lombok, with a focus on marine tourism and nature based experiences.
Local government announcements earlier this year highlighted plans to restore direct international connectivity to Belitung after the island’s main gateway, H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport, saw its international status downgraded in 2024. Coverage of those plans pointed to Singapore as a priority market, reflecting strong pre pandemic demand from both Singapore residents and international visitors transiting through Changi.
With Scoot’s new Singapore Belitung service, travel observers expect easier access for short getaways and multi destination itineraries that pair a city break in Singapore with time on the beaches of Belitung. The island’s tourism stakeholders are expected to benefit from improved air access, which can support investments in accommodation, tours and related services aimed at higher yielding international guests.
Pontianak Gains a Direct Link to a Major Regional Hub
Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, is not traditionally viewed as a mainstream leisure destination for Singapore based travelers. However, it is an important commercial and administrative center, with economic activity spanning trade, agriculture, fisheries and services. Aviation data providers currently list only connecting options between Singapore and Pontianak, typically via Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching or other regional hubs.
The launch of a Singapore Pontianak route gives the Indonesian city direct access to one of Asia’s busiest international hubs, simplifying travel for business passengers, visiting friends and relatives traffic and niche tourism segments. For residents of West Kalimantan, the new link will make it easier to reach long haul destinations in Europe, North America and the wider Asia Pacific through one stop connections via Changi.
Industry analysis suggests that the choice of Pontianak aligns with a broader trend of Southeast Asian carriers adding secondary and tertiary cities to their networks, in order to tap into growing regional demand beyond capital city pairs. For Singapore, the route contributes to a denser web of air links into Indonesia, supporting trade flows and people to people exchanges between the two neighbours.
Strategic Expansion of Singapore–Indonesia Air Connectivity
The addition of Belitung and Pontianak comes as Scoot and its parent Singapore Airlines continue to adjust capacity across their combined network. Over the past two years, the group has added or reinstated multiple regional routes while ramping up frequencies on high demand city pairs. Travel industry reports describe Indonesia as a particular focus, with new points such as Labuan Bajo and Palembang joining more established destinations like Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar.
By pairing new Indonesian routes with increased services to other Asia Pacific and European cities, Scoot is positioning Changi as a convenient one stop hub for travelers heading to emerging destinations. Network planners often view such additions as a way to diversify demand, smooth seasonal peaks and strengthen the competitive position of the Singapore hub versus rival gateways in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta.
For Indonesia, expanded links from Singapore can complement domestic aviation growth by feeding higher spending international travelers into secondary regions. Analysts note that improved air connectivity has been a key component of Indonesia’s efforts to develop tourism in areas beyond Bali, including islands in Sumatra and regions across Borneo and eastern Indonesia.
What Travelers Can Expect on the New Services
According to route announcements and product information released by the airline, the Belitung and Pontianak flights will be operated by Scoot’s Embraer E190 E2 aircraft type. This latest generation regional jet is configured for short to medium haul services and is marketed in industry coverage as combining lower fuel burn with a quieter cabin compared with older regional models.
Travel media reports indicate that flight times between Singapore and Belitung will be under two hours, with similar sector lengths expected for the Pontianak route. The twice weekly and three times weekly schedules are designed primarily for leisure and short business trips, with departure timings that support weekend breaks and short stays when combined with overnight accommodation.
Fares highlighted in promotional coverage for the launch suggest that introductory prices are being used to stimulate demand, with one way base fares to Belitung and Pontianak positioned to compete with existing short haul holiday options from Singapore. As with most low cost operations, ancillary products such as checked luggage, seat selection and onboard meals are expected to be available at additional charge, giving passengers flexibility in tailoring their total trip cost.