Abstract
Motives: Indonesia, as the largest archipelagic nation, faces significant connectivity challenges in 3TP regions. The term 3TP in Indonesia refers to regions categorized as Terdepan (Frontier), Terpencil (Remote), Tertinggal (Underdeveloped), and Perbatasan (Border). These areas are characterized by geographical remoteness, limited infrastructure, and economic disparities, necessitating innovative transportation solutions. The development of seaplane transportation presents a promising opportunity to address these issues, providing faster access to remote areas without extensive infrastructure requirements. Seaplanes align with national development goals, supporting equitable regional growth, enhanced mobility, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). However, seaplane implementation in 3TP regions remains underexplored, with critical challenges including regulatory gaps, high operational costs, and technical limitations. This study investigates the feasibility of seaplanes as a solution to 3TP connectivity issues, emphasizing their potential to transform regional accessibility while identifying strategies to overcome existing barriers.Aim: This research aims to identify the opportunities and challenges associated with seaplane transportation in Indonesia’s 3TP regions, employing a qualitative case study approach. Data collection involved literature reviews and structured interviews with policymakers from the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) in selected districts. Utilizing SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis, this study evaluates seaplanes’ operational viability in diverse geographical contexts, highlighting strengths such as speed, minimal infrastructure needs, and domestic production capabilities. Concurrently, the research addresses weaknesses, including high costs, limited skilled personnel, and operational constraints due to environmental factors. External opportunities like growing tourism and intermodal synergies are juxtaposed with threats such as regulatory inadequacies and energy accessibility issues. The study proposes a comprehensive strategy combining internal improvements with external support to maximize benefits and mitigate risks.Results: The SWOT analysis reveals that seaplanes possess unique advantages for 3TP regions, offering expedited travel, reduced infrastructure dependency, and compatibility with Indonesia’s vast water resources. However, implementation is hindered by operational limitations in adverse weather conditions, human resource shortages, and the high costs associated with procurement and maintenance. Key opportunities include expanding tourism sectors, enhancing intermodal transport systems, and leveraging geographical advantages to improve regional connectivity. Meanwhile, external challenges such as regulatory gaps, competition with lower-cost sea transport, and unequal energy distribution threaten to impede widespread adoption. Stakeholder insights underscore the need for targeted strategies to overcome these challenges. Suggested interventions include identifying optimal waterbase locations, fostering industry collaboration to strengthen domestic production, and enhancing pilot and technical training programs. Additionally, government-backed financing and subsidies are recommended to address cost barriers, while regulatory reforms and energy infrastructure investments are vital for sustained operations. By implementing these measures, seaplanes can effectively address connectivity gaps, promote economic equity, and align with Indonesia’s national development priorities and SDG commitments.