Fly SamaSama has announced the launch of a dedicated air charter service connecting travellers directly to Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands, dramatically reducing travel time to the remote archipelago from approximately 24 hours to just three hours. Scheduled to commence operations in June 2026, the premium charter service will operate a 23-seat Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft connecting Kuala Lumpur International with the Mentawai Islands via a short immigration stop in Padang. Flights are expected to operate three times a week, with return fares starting from approximately USD $850. The launch represents a significant shift in accessibility to the Mentawai Islands, one of the most consistent surf regions globally but historically constrained by complex and time-intensive travel logistics.
Unlocking Access to Indonesia’s Remote Tourism Economy
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, spanning more than 17,000 islands, yet many of its most sought-after destinations remain difficult to reach due to limited aviation infrastructure and reliance on ferry transport networks. The Mentawai Islands, located off the western coast of Sumatra, comprise more than 70 tropical islands internationally recognised for world-class reef breaks, luxury surf resorts and remote wilderness tourism experiences. Despite strong international demand, access to the region typically involves multiple commercial flights followed by overnight stay and early morning ferry crossings, significantly limiting visitor growth and increasing travel risk during seasonal weather conditions. Fly SamaSama Founder and Director Andre Hugo said the business was created to address one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked tourism infrastructure gaps.
“The Mentawai Islands are globally recognised as one of the most extraordinary surf and wilderness destinations on the planet, yet they have remained incredibly difficult to reach. We saw a clear opportunity to build an aviation solution that reduces travel time while maintaining the exclusivity and environmental
sensitivity that makes Mentawai so special. Our goal is not mass tourism, but smarter connectivity that supports high-value travel and local economic sustainability.” – Andre Hugo
Andre is supported by an experienced aviation and regulatory leadership team, including Indonesian aerospace executive Gerry Soejatman, who brings more than 20 years of experience working with international and national aviation stakeholders, OEMs and industry organisations. The advisory network also includes Fidel Xastro, President of the Mentawai Tourism Forum, providing regional tourism and market insight.
Aviation Infrastructure Supporting Premium Travel Growth
Indonesian tourism authorities continue to identify transport connectivity as one of the primary barriers to unlocking growth across remote destinations, with the Ministry of Tourism stating in 2026 that connectivity remains a critical pillar supporting visitor mobility, tourism competitiveness and broader economic development (Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia, via ANTARA News, 2026).
The charter service has been designed specifically for surf and adventure travellers, offering equipment-friendly baggage allowances, resort-coordinated arrival scheduling and direct charter logistics designed to streamline guest transfers. The Mentawai surf tourism market supports approximately 15–20 premium surf resorts and is estimated to host several thousand high-value surf travellers annually, with typical holiday expenditure exceeding USD $2,500 per guest. Fly Fly SamaSama is currently working closely with a number of established Mentawai surf resorts to coordinate guest transfer logistics and responsible tourism planning, including Awera Resort, Aloita Resort, Hollow Trees Resort and Kingfisher Resort, alongside several boutique villas and surf lodges across the region.
Supporting Responsible Tourism Growth
Due to the Mentawai Islands’ limited accommodation capacity and environmentally sensitive marine ecosystems, Fly SamaSama Charters requires passengers to hold confirmed accommodation bookings prior to securing flight seats. The policy has been developed in collaboration with resort operators to support controlled visitor growth while preserving the region’s environmental and cultural landscape.
“Responsible tourism is central to our business model. We want to improve access without changing the character of Mentawai. Working closely with resorts and local stakeholders ensures tourism growth remains sustainable and community-focused.” – Andre Hugo
Pre-Sale Flights Open February 2026
Pre-sale bookings for June and July 2026 flights have just opened (February 2026), aligning with global surf travel booking cycles, which typically operate six months in advance. Passengers will be able to secure charter seats through Fly SamaSama Charters’ booking platform, with resort transfer logistics coordinated upon arrival.
Future Expansion Across Indonesia’s Remote Island Network
Beyond the Mentawai launch, Fly SamaSama is positioning itself as a specialist aviation operator focused on improving access to remote island destinations across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The company is currently exploring expansion routes linking Bali with emerging luxury tourism regions including Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo and Sumba, alongside the development of amphibious seaplane operations using Cessna Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft designed to operate from both land and water infrastructure. The aircraft are expected to support tourism connectivity, yacht transfers and emergency medical evacuation services across isolated island communities.
