Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto Airport Sees Explosive Growth in Passenger Traffic, Outshining Jakarta and Surabaya!

Published on December 10, 2025

In recent months, Adisutjipto Airport in Yogyakarta has experienced a noticeable rise in passenger traffic. Although the airport is now considered more of an alternative to Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), which serves as the region’s main international airport, Adisutjipto Airport continues to play a key role in domestic flights. Located in Sleman Regency, it remains a significant hub for short-haul flights, especially those operated by ATR aircraft, which cater to smaller, regional routes.

Adisutjipto Airport: A Regional Hub for ATR Aircraft

Unlike YIA, which caters to international travelers, Adisutjipto Airport predominantly handles short domestic routes. The ATR aircraft, used for regional flights, have become increasingly popular among travelers. Routes such as Yogyakarta-Jakarta, Yogyakarta-Karimunjawa, and other similar short-haul connections are frequently serviced by ATR aircraft. These small-capacity planes are often chosen for their efficiency on shorter routes, providing a comfortable and affordable alternative to larger aircraft.

Passenger Growth at Adisutjipto Airport

According to Wibowo Cahyono Soekadi, the General Manager of Adisutjipto Airport, passenger numbers at the airport showed a promising increase in 2025. As of November, the airport welcomed 118,971 passengers, which marks a 2 percent increase from the previous year, when the airport recorded 116,292 passengers. This growth has been attributed to the rising popularity of short-haul air travel, particularly those flying on ATR aircraft.

The airline operators serving Adisutjipto Airport include Citilink and Fly Jaya, both of which offer ATR flights. Additionally, smaller aircraft, like those from Susi Air, also operate out of the airport. These airlines service routes to and from various key destinations, such as Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Jakarta, Husein Sastranegara in Bandung, Dewandaru Airport in Karimunjawa, and Nusawiru in Cijulang Pangandaran. Among these, the most popular route is to and from Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Jakarta, which alone accounted for 117,302 passengers.

Anticipating Further Growth During the Holiday Season

Looking ahead, Cahyono expressed optimism about the continued growth in passenger traffic. With the Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 holiday season approaching, it is expected that the number of travelers passing through Adisutjipto Airport will rise further. The holiday period traditionally sees a surge in air travel, and as Cahyono pointed out, the increase in passenger numbers will likely continue as more people take advantage of the seasonal rush to visit family or explore new destinations.

In addition to the rise in passenger traffic, the number of aircraft movements at the airport has also surged. In November 2025, the airport recorded 2,895 aircraft movements, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the 2,536 movements recorded in 2024. To accommodate this increase in air traffic, airport officials have made sure that all essential flight support equipment and facilities are in optimal working condition. Regular monitoring and oversight are also being conducted to ensure smooth operations both airside and landside.

YIA Airport Continues to Dominate Passenger Traffic

While Adisutjipto Airport has experienced growth, YIA Airport remains the dominant player in the region. According to Herum Fajarwati, the Acting Head of the Central Statistics Agency of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, YIA Airport accounted for 95 percent of all passenger movements in the region. The remaining 5 percent of passenger traffic passes through Adisutjipto Airport.

For example, in October 2025, the total number of domestic air passengers arriving in Yogyakarta reached 173,291, marking a 10.67 percent increase compared to the previous month. Of this total, 164,736 passengers (or 95.06 percent) arrived at YIA, while 8,555 passengers arrived at Adisutjipto Airport, making up the remaining 4.94 percent of the total.

The number of passengers arriving via YIA increased by 10.17 percent from the 149,524 recorded in September 2025 to 164,736 in October 2025. The most significant increases in passenger traffic came from airports such as Syamsudin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin, which saw a 33.42 percent increase, and Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, with an 18.79 percent increase.

Growth at Adisutjipto Airport in October 2025

Despite YIA’s overwhelming dominance, Adisutjipto Airport also saw a 21.23 percent increase in passenger numbers in October 2025, compared to the previous month. A total of 8,555 passengers arrived at Adisutjipto Airport in October, with the majority of passengers (8,486) arriving from Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Jakarta. Smaller numbers of passengers arrived from Dewadaru-Karimunjawa, Juanda-Surabaya, and other airports.

The continued growth in passenger numbers at Adisutjipto Airport highlights the increasing appeal of regional air travel in the region, as well as the growing popularity of ATR aircraft for short-haul flights.

Preparing for Increased Passenger Traffic

With passenger numbers expected to rise further in the coming months, airport officials are already preparing for the busy holiday season. In addition to ensuring the functionality of all critical flight support equipment, Adisutjipto Airport is working to streamline operations, ensuring that passenger flows remain smooth and efficient. The airport’s management is also focusing on increasing the number of available services and making sure that passengers have a seamless travel experience.