Melaka: Two-way flights on the Melaka-Pekanbaru route operated by Indonesian low-cost carrier Wings Air will resume at Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam on June 10, according to a Melaka state executive councillor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman announced that the airline, which is part of the Lion Air Group, will operate three flights a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The reactivation of this route is anticipated to boost tourist arrivals from Indonesia, particularly benefiting the medical tourism subsector.
Abdul Razak highlighted that approximately 50 percent of the passengers on these flights are tourists seeking medical treatment or health screenings at Melaka's four private hospitals. He stated, "The private hospitals in the state are the preferred choice for many Indonesians because we have numerous trusted specialist doctors, as well as advanced and up-to-date medical facilities."
The announcement was made after the Riuh Ria @ Banda Hilir 2026 programme, which was also attended by Tourism Melaka's promotion division general manager Nasrul Ahmad. Abdul Razak further mentioned that the state government is in discussions with several airlines to establish routes to additional destinations from LTAM.
Regarding the two-way Melaka-Singapore service operated by Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, Abdul Razak noted that it has been receiving encouraging responses, with about 85 percent of passenger capacity filled on each flight.
Meanwhile, Nasrul Ahmad explained that the Riuh Ria @ Banda Hilir programme is a new tourism initiative introduced during the long holiday period to invigorate the state's tourism sector through various attractions and activities. The inaugural edition of the programme took place over two days beginning Friday, featuring traditional games competitions such as draughts, tin-can throwing, coconut bowling, and chapteh, in addition to arts and cultural performances.
Nasrul added, "Over the two-day period, we are targeting more than 10,000 visitors to the Banda Hilir area, particularly around the Red Building precinct."