Santai Seaplane Hub 2025: Banyuwangi Airport Becomes Center for Bali Amphibious Flights

The map of Indonesian travel is being redrawn. For decades, reaching the hidden gems of the archipelago meant a tiring relay of narrow-body jets, winding road transfers, and bumpy ferry crossings. However, on December 26, 2025, the future of premium travel in Southeast Asia took a decisive leap forward. Santai Seaplane, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Seaplane Asia Group, officially announced that Banyuwangi Airport (BWX) in East Java will serve as its primary strategic and operational hub.

This partnership, supported by InJourney Airports and the Akademi Penerbang Indonesia (API) Banyuwangi, transforms Banyuwangi into the nerve center for amphibious aviation. By early 2026, the roar of seaplane engines will bridge the gap between Java’s volcanic peaks and Bali’s turquoise shores, offering a “last-mile” solution that turns a six-hour journey into a breathtaking 30-minute flight.

The Strategic Choice: Why Banyuwangi?

Selecting Banyuwangi as a hub was a move of geographical brilliance. Situated at the easternmost tip of Java, Banyuwangi Airport sits as the “gateway” between Indonesia’s most populous island and its most famous tourism destination, Bali.

Banyuwangi Airport itself is already a pioneer—it is Indonesia’s first “Green Airport,” designed with a sustainable, open-air concept that minimizes the need for air conditioning. By choosing this location, Santai Seaplane isn’t just picking a runway; they are aligning with an eco-conscious brand that matches their own commitment to sustainable aviation.

The Operational Blueprint:

• The “Build-Operate-Transfer” Center: Santai Seaplane is developing a dedicated operations and sales center within the airport. This facility will handle everything from VIP guest lounges to high-tech flight planning.
• The Water Aerodrome: While the planes will take off from the BWX runway, they are designed to land on water. The project utilizes the Banyuwangi Water Aerodrome at Pang Pang Bay, providing a seamless transition from asphalt to ocean.
• Geographic Proximity: From this hub, seaplanes can reach North Bali (Menjangan), Lombok, and Moyo Island with unprecedented speed.

The Fleet: Luxury Meets Versatility

Santai Seaplane will utilise the Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian, a workhorse of the sky that has been reimagined for luxury. Unlike standard aircraft, these amphibious planes are equipped with pontoons that allow them to land directly in front of waterfront resorts or on secluded lagoons.

• Passenger Capacity: Up to 8 guests per flight.
• The Experience: Passengers are treated to full VIP service, including air-conditioning (rare in small seaplanes), iPads with personalized content, and premium gifts.
• Sightseeing Potential: The hub’s location allows for curated aerial tours. Imagine flying over the “Blue Fire” of the Ijen Crater or the smoking peaks of Mount Bromo before landing in the calm waters of a Bali marina for lunch.

A Sustainable Horizon

One of the most humanized aspects of this announcement is the “Sustainable by Design” commitment. Santai Seaplane is not just adding more carbon to the atmosphere; they have outlined a four-phase roadmap to zero emissions:

Carbon Compensation: Every flight minute is currently offset through local Indonesian development programs.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Within two years, the fleet aims to switch to biofuels.

Electrification: Partnering with companies like MagniX, Santai Seaplane is preparing to retrofit its engines for full electric power.

PHA-ZE 100: The parent company, Seaplane Asia, has already committed to 14 PHA-ZE 100 amphibious seaplanes, which are designed from the ground up to be zero-emission.

The Human Impact: More Than Just Tourism

While the “Premium Mass Market” and luxury travelers are the primary audience, the presence of a seaplane hub in Banyuwangi offers vital benefits to the local community.

• Medical Evacuations: These aircraft can land in remote coastal villages where no runway exists, providing life-saving transport during emergencies.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): The amphibious fleet will be available to support national SAR missions across the Lesser Sunda Islands.
• Economic Ripple Effect: The hub is expected to create high-skilled jobs for local pilots and ground crews, particularly through the partnership with the local API pilot academy.

The post Santai Seaplane Hub 2025: Banyuwangi Airport Becomes Center for Bali Amphibious Flights appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

Banyuwangi Airport Chosen as Hub for Santai Seaplane’s Amphibious Tourism Flights

Santai Seaplane, operating under PT Santai Seaplane Aviation and backed by the Seaplane Asia Group based in Hong Kong, has identified Banyuwangi Airport (BWX) as a central base for upcoming amphibious aircraft services serving Bali and surrounding regions of Indonesia. The decision has been supported by InJourney Airports and Akademi Penerbang Indonesia Banyuwangi, marking the transition of the initiative into an active implementation phase. The move positions Banyuwangi as a focal point for premium air travel connectivity across East Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands, with commercial services targeted for early 2026.

Banyuwangi Airport Selected as Strategic Operational Base

The selection of Banyuwangi Airport has been driven by its geographic role between Java and Bali and its proximity to established and emerging tourism zones. Approved permits for water-based aircraft movements are set to be utilized at the Banyuwangi water aerodrome, along with designated water landing locations at Menjangan in North Bali and additional approved sites in southern Bali. These facilities collectively form the initial phase of a broader seaplane network.
As part of the rollout, a dedicated Santai Seaplane operations and sales center is planned within Banyuwangi Airport. The facility is to be developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer framework, reinforcing a long-term operational commitment to the region while supporting integrated land-and-water aviation activity.

Regional Air Connectivity Supporting Tourism Movement

From Banyuwangi, amphibious operations are expected to facilitate direct and time-efficient travel between coastal, island, and mainland destinations already named within the operational plan. Planned route development includes air links to Wisnu Airport, Denpasar, Lombok, and Moyo Island. In addition to scheduled movements, the base is positioned to support curated aerial sightseeing flights above Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo, as well as scenic coastal flights along Bali.
The hub structure enables Banyuwangi to function as a central coordination point for flights designed around tourism mobility, with aircraft movements intended to complement existing transport flows rather than replace them.

A Travel Experience Designed Around Seamless Transitions

For travelers, the structure of amphibious operations is oriented toward reducing friction between arrival points and final destinations. By combining land-based airport access with water landings, tourism movement is positioned to shift away from indirect routing and extended ground transfers. The model emphasizes continuity of journey, where transitions between terminals, coastlines, and islands are designed to remain fluid and time-efficient.
This approach aligns with broader patterns in premium travel, where access, convenience, and route efficiency are increasingly prioritized as part of the overall tourism experience rather than treated as logistical afterthoughts.

Tourism Mobility Shaped by Flexibility and Access

The operational framework highlights flexibility as a defining characteristic of the service model. Amphibious aircraft are positioned to support varied travel purposes without being tied to a single tourism segment. Whether aligned with scheduled sightseeing flights or tailored charter services, the structure allows travel planning to be adjusted around individual itineraries rather than fixed infrastructure limitations.
Such adaptability reflects evolving traveler expectations, where access to diverse landscapes and coastal environments is valued alongside reliability and time management.

Targeted Services for Specialized Travel Segments

Several tourism and travel-oriented service categories are planned within the Banyuwangi-based operation. Scenic shore excursions are structured for cruise passengers arriving at Benoa and East Java ports, combining aerial sightseeing with onward travel to secluded destinations. Inter-island charter services are set to support direct access to Mandalika and Bangko Bangko in Lombok, serving sports-tourism and luxury travel markets.
Additionally, the Banyuwangi base is designated to support bespoke charter connectivity to commercial centers such as Surabaya. Beyond tourism, operational capacity is also intended to accommodate goods delivery and medical evacuation flights, expanding the functional scope of the seaplane network.

Implementation Timeline and Network Expansion

Following consultations with national and regional stakeholders, the initiative has entered its active implementation phase. Demonstration flights and technical feasibility assessments for additional locations are planned for completion in early 2026, aligning with the projected launch of commercial services. The phased approach allows operational readiness to be validated before network expansion across further designated water aerodromes within the archipelago.

Alignment With Sustainable Airport Infrastructure

Banyuwangi Airport has been internationally recognized for its environmentally responsive terminal design by architect Andra Matin. Features such as natural ventilation and a grass-covered roof have reduced energy demand and environmental impact. This infrastructure has been aligned with Santai Seaplane’s stated focus on low-impact aviation operations and responsible access to coastal and marine environments.
By anchoring operations at BWX, the travel experience is structured to begin within a sustainability-focused terminal and continue through water-based landings at ecologically sensitive destinations already included within the operational plan.

Image Source: AI

The post Banyuwangi Airport Chosen as Hub for Santai Seaplane’s Amphibious Tourism Flights appeared first on Travel And Tour World.