Indonesia's Pelita Air will launch its first international route to Singapore in December 2025, marking a historic milestone for the airline originally founded by state oil company Pertamina in 1970.
The carrier will operate from Terminal 4 at Singapore's Changi Airport, likely utilizing the check-in area previously occupied by Jetstar Asia, which is set to cease operations on July 31 after nearly two decades of service.
Pelita Air currently serves 17 domestic destinations using its Airbus A320 fleet and has partnered with SATS to handle ground services at Changi Airport, with plans to expand further to Bangkok next year as part of its international growth strategy.
Jetstar Asia's departure from the Singapore market, driven by rising operational costs and intense competition, will affect 16 regional routes but is not expected to significantly impact Changi Airport's status as a major aviation hub due to the carrier's modest market share.
The entry of Pelita Air into Singapore reflects the broader transformation occurring across Southeast Asia's aviation landscape, where new airlines are emerging to capitalize on growing travel demand and fill gaps left by departing carriers.
