Holiday Ayo - Acting (Pj) Governor of West Kalimantan, Harisson, conveyed the news that Pontianak's Supadio Airport has now officially changed its status to a Domestic Airport.

“With this decision, of course we are disappointed. However, this decision must also be understood that the Central Government considers that the people of West Kalimantan visit abroad more than foreign tourists to West Kalimantan, which causes Supadio's international status airport to erode the country's foreign exchange," said the Acting Governor of Kalimantan Barat Harisson via WhatsApp group, Thursday (25/4). 

In the past, Supadio Airport was an international airport because it made it easier for residents to travel and shop abroad. 

Harisson explained that one of the reasons the central government changed the status of the airport was to reduce the ease of access for Indonesians abroad. 

In the past, Supadio Airport was an international airport because it made it easier for residents to travel and shop abroad. 

Harisson explained that one of the reasons the central government changed the status of the airport was to reduce the ease of access for Indonesians abroad. 

“The data collected shows that the number of our citizens traveling abroad is greater than the number of foreigners entering Indonesia through the international airport," he said. 

According to him, the central government considers that the large number of international airports can erode the country's foreign exchange because it makes it easier for citizens to travel and shop abroad. 

However, Harisson also expressed concern about the behavior of West Kalimantan residents who often travel abroad, especially to Malaysia (Kuching-Sarawak), to obtain health services. 

“This consideration is important because there are indications that some of our citizens have already trusted health services abroad, and they feel they will not recover if they do not receive treatment there," he said. 

Harisson added that changing the status of Supadio Airport to a domestic airport will certainly have a significant impact on the people of West Kalimantan, especially in terms of international access and health services. 

“The regional government will continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of this decision to ensure that the interests of the community remain met," said Harisson.