Jakarta, Sept. 7 -- The reopening of international routes is considered as a strategic step to expand air transportation accessibility while strengthening Indonesia's global competitiveness, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said.

"The reopening of these international routes is expected to open mobility for foreign tourists and business people, and also driving regional economic growth and strengthen Indonesia's position in the global connectivity network," he said in a statement on Sunday.

He conveyed this during the inauguration of the international status of Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, with the inaugural flight operated by AirAsia on the Kuala Lumpur-Semarang route on Friday, September 4.

According to him, this step follo...