Current scheduled international flights from Makassar Airport (UPG) include Scoot to Singapore (four times weekly), AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur (six and two times weekly, respectively), and Lion Air to Jeddah for umrah charters (approximately nine times weekly). These schedules are seasonal and subject to change.
My name is Gerald Lumembang, and as the Corporate & Groups Coordinator here at Makassar Fast Track, I manage the arrival and departure plans for many travellers passing through Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG). From large umrah groups and government delegations to cruise ship passengers connecting onwards, our team ensures a smooth process on the ground. This guide explains the current landscape of international travel at UPG, based on our daily operational experience.
This is a comprehensive overview. For a general orientation, you may also wish to read our primary Makassar Airport guide.
Scheduled International Routes from Makassar (UPG)
As the primary air hub for Eastern Indonesia, UPG serves a select but crucial set of direct international destinations. These routes connect the region primarily to major Southeast Asian hubs, facilitating both business and leisure travel.
The information below is based on published airline schedules and Kemenhub Hubud data, verified as of October 2026. Flight frequencies can and do change based on season and demand, so always confirm with the airline directly.
- To Singapore (SIN):
- Airline: Scoot
- Frequency: 4 flights per week.
- Significance: This is a vital connection. Singapore’s Changi Airport is a global super-hub, providing travellers from Sulawesi with one-stop access to Europe, North America, and the rest of Asia.
- To Kuala Lumpur (KUL):
- Airlines: AirAsia (6 flights per week) and Malaysia Airlines (2 flights per week).
- Frequency: A total of 8 flights per week between the two carriers.
- Significance: Kuala Lumpur is another key regional hub. This route is popular for tourism, business, and connecting flights on the extensive networks of both AirAsia and the Oneworld alliance (via Malaysia Airlines).
- To Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (JED):
- Airline: Lion Air
- Frequency: Approximately 9 flights per week.
- Significance: These are primarily charter flights catering to the significant demand for Umrah pilgrimages from South Sulawesi, which has a large Muslim population. The schedule is highly seasonal and concentrated around peak pilgrimage periods.
What About Other Routes Seen on Flight Aggregators?
This is a common point of confusion. You might search for a flight from Makassar to Sydney or Amsterdam and see a single itinerary offered by a major airline. Does this mean there is a direct flight?
No. In almost all cases, these are codeshare or interline itineraries that involve a stop. The most common scenario is a domestic flight from UPG to a larger Indonesian hub, followed by an international leg.
- Typical Connection Point: Jakarta (CGK). Most long-haul travel from Makassar connects through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. You will take a domestic flight from UPG to CGK and then board your international flight.
- The “International Connection Makassar Airport” Reality: Your journey starts with one of the many frequent domestic flights from UPG airport to Jakarta, operated by Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Citilink, or Batik Air. After arriving in Jakarta, you will transfer from the domestic terminal to the international terminal to continue your journey.
When booking, pay close attention to the flight details. Look for the connection airport and the layover time. An itinerary that appears to be a single booking is often two separate flights packaged together.
What is the Arrival Procedure for International Flights?
Understanding the step-by-step process makes for a much smoother Sultan Hasanuddin Airport arrival. The international arrivals area is located on the ground floor of the terminal. The process is linear and straightforward.
Step 1: Immigration (Paspor & Visa Control)
After you leave the aircraft and walk down the aerobridge or take the bus from the stand, you enter the terminal building. Signs will direct you to the immigration hall. It is a single, large room.
The queues are divided into two sections: Indonesian passport holders (WNI) and foreign passport holders (WNA). The process is standard. You present your passport and boarding pass to the officer. If you require a Visa on Arrival, this is where you handle it before approaching the immigration counter (more on that below).
A critical point on fast track services: There is no commercially available, paid immigration fast-track service at Makassar Airport. Any service claiming to offer this for a fee is misrepresenting the situation. The only priority access is through official government protocol, reserved for diplomats and high-level state guests (VVIP/VIP). Our team coordinates with these official channels for qualifying delegations but does not sell an “immigration skip-the-queue” product because one does not exist for the public.
Step 2: Baggage Claim
Once you are stamped into the country, you proceed directly into the baggage reclaim hall. There are two carousels dedicated to international arrivals. Look at the overhead monitors to see which carousel your flight’s luggage will be on. Trolleys are available free of charge in this area.
Step 3: Customs Declaration
With your bags in hand, the final step is customs. Indonesia requires all arriving passengers to complete an Electronic Customs Declaration (e-CD). You should do this online before you land via the official Indonesian Customs website (es.beacukai.go.id). You will receive a QR code upon completion, which you will scan at the customs checkpoint.
If you forget, there are signs with the QR code linking to the form in the baggage hall, but completing it in advance is much faster. After scanning your QR code, you will proceed through one of two channels:
- Green Channel: If you have nothing to declare. This is for the vast majority of travellers.
- Red Channel: If you are carrying goods over the duty-free allowance or items that require declaration.
After clearing customs, you exit into the public arrivals hall. This is the designated meeting point where drivers, hotel representatives, and our meet and greet team will be waiting.
Planning a smooth arrival for your group? You can request a quote from our desk or message us on WhatsApp for detailed coordination.
Can I Get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Makassar Airport?
Yes, Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport (UPG) is one of the official air entry points where eligible nationalities can obtain a B1 Visa on Arrival.
The official government page lists the eligible countries and current requirements. As policies can change, we strongly advise you to check the latest information on the website of the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration before your travel.
The general process at UPG is as follows:
- Locate the VoA Counter: Before you join the main immigration queue, you will see a dedicated counter labelled “Visa on Arrival”.
- Present Documents: You will need your passport (which must be valid for at least six more months) and proof of an onward or return ticket.
- Payment: You pay the official fee at this counter. The fee is set by the government and is payable in Indonesian Rupiah or sometimes major foreign currencies like US Dollars, though having Rupiah is recommended.
- Receive Receipt/Sticker: Once payment is complete, you will receive a receipt or sticker.
- Proceed to Immigration: You then take this proof of payment and your passport to the regular immigration counter for foreign nationals to be stamped into the country.
For those planning a short stop, please note there is no specific makassar airport transit visa. If you need to clear immigration to collect bags and check in for a separate onward flight (especially a domestic one), you will need to be eligible for visa-free entry or purchase a Visa on Arrival.
How Does the International Departure Process Work at UPG?
The makassar airport departures process for international flights is also straightforward. All check-in and departure formalities happen in the main terminal building, which you can learn more about in our Makassar Airport terminal guide.
Step 1: Check-in
International airline check-in counters are located in the main departure hall. You will see large overhead screens listing the sultan hasanuddin airport flight schedule which will direct you to the correct row of counters for your flight. We recommend arriving a full three hours before your scheduled departure time to allow for queues and processing. Have your passport and ticket ready.
Step 2: Immigration
After you have your boarding pass and have dropped off your luggage, you will proceed to the international departure gate area. Before you can enter, you must clear departure immigration. Here, an officer will check your documents and stamp your passport to record your exit from Indonesia.
Step 3: Security & Gates
Immediately after clearing immigration, you will go through a final security screening for yourself and your hand luggage. Once cleared, you enter the international departure lounge. This area has seating, some duty-free shops, and access to the departure gates. Check your boarding pass and the screens for your gate number and boarding time.
Meet and Assist for International Passengers: Where We Can and Cannot Be
As coordinators, our role is to make your airport experience as efficient and stress-free as possible. However, it is important to be transparent about the boundaries of our service, which operate strictly within the airport’s official regulations.
**What our team can do:**
- Arrival Meet & Greet: We meet you or your group in the public arrivals hall, immediately after you exit the final customs checkpoint. We will be holding a clear sign with your name or your group’s name.
- Baggage Assistance: We can assist with luggage trolleys from the arrivals hall to your waiting vehicle.
- Transportation Coordination: We ensure your pre-booked driver or transport is ready and waiting, and we facilitate a smooth handover.
- Departure Assistance: We meet you at the kerbside, assist with bags into the check-in hall, guide you to the correct airline counter, and escort you as far as the entrance to the immigration checkpoint.
- Lounge Access: We can pre-book and arrange access to the available airport lounges in the departure area. Any police escort is subject to official approval through these channels and is not a commercial product.
**What our team cannot do:**
- Airside Access on Arrival: We cannot meet you at the aircraft gate or before immigration. Our access is limited to public areas, so our first point of contact is after you have cleared customs.
- Expedite Immigration or Customs: We are not government officials and have no authority to influence or speed up these sovereign processes. As stated, there is no commercial fast track at UPG.
- Handle Checked Baggage: We are not a ground-handler. We cannot retrieve your bags from the aircraft or carousel. You must collect your own checked luggage. Our value lies in coordination, planning, and on-the-ground assistance in all the public areas of the airport. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your journey. For any group travel, delegation, or VIP coordination needs for flights to makassar airport, please contact our planning desk. You can request a quote directly through our site or message our team on WhatsApp for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct flight from Europe or Australia to Makassar?
No, there are currently no direct, non-stop flights from Europe, Australia, the Middle East (other than Jeddah for charters), or North America to Makassar (UPG). Travel from these regions requires at least one connection, typically through Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), or Jakarta (CGK).
How early should I arrive for an international departure from UPG?
We recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled international departure time. This provides a safe buffer for airline check-in queues, baggage drop, and the immigration and security screening processes.
Can I use a foreign credit card to pay for the Visa on Arrival at Makassar Airport?
While some major airports in Indonesia have facilities for credit card payments at the VoA counter, it is not always guaranteed to be operational. It is highly advisable to carry enough Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or a clean, major currency like US Dollars to pay the visa fee to avoid any potential issues.
What happens if my international flight is delayed and I miss my domestic connection from UPG?
This depends on how you booked your tickets. If you booked both flights on a single ticket with one airline or its partners, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight. If you booked two separate tickets, you are responsible for the missed connection and may need to purchase a new ticket for the domestic leg.