AirAsia launched its first regular flights - three times a week - between Macao and Jakarta on 7^th August, increasing to four flights per week from 1^st September.

The Director of the Marketing Department of Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) Eric Fong remarked that with the growth of air passenger travel, Southeast Asia has become an important source market for Macao. According to statistics, Indonesian visitors to Macao posted a year-on-year growth of 11.7 per cent in 2016, suggesting Indonesia will become an important source market for Macao. With the launch of routes between Macao and Jakarta, the connection between the two destinations will be much closer, increasing air traffic and visitation between the two areas.

The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong and Macao, Tri Tharyat, believes that the operation of flights between Macao and Indonesia will bring positive effects to the economy of both regions, especially in the area of trade and tourism. The main gateway to Indonesia, Jakarta is a lively city with colourful local customs - from shopping paradise to its history and cultural museums - from which visitors can also access other tourism attractions.

In addition, AirAsia organized an inspection trip to Kuala Lumpur for representatives of the MSAR Government and aviation industry. During the trip, AirAsia CEO of Hong Kong and Macao, Celia Lao Sio Wun, said the airline expected to launch flights between Macao and Phuket in the second half of 2017, as well as flights between Macao and Nagoya in the first half of 2018. Lao also said AirAsia will promote co-operation with other aviation companies in Macao and the Pearl River Delta area, advancing the development of Macao's aviation industry.

AirAsia - together with Macau International Airport (MIA) - has also launched ExpressLink service till 15^th December, setting up check-in service counters for MIA in Gongbei Port and Hengqin Port, so that passengers can now travel directly to MIA's restricted area for check-in by shuttle bus after registering at the counter. The shuttle ride is estimated at 15 minutes, and, without entering the border of Macao, will provide more convenience for visitors.