In the post-pandemic era, the aviation sector is under increasing pressure to become more resilient, inclusive, and value-driven. While sustainability and digital transformation have dominated global airport strategies, an equally powerful—yet underexplored—theme is emerging: the integration of Shariah-compliant business ecosystems in airport operations.
With over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide and a projected $2.4 trillion global halal economy by 2027, airports in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia have a unique opportunity to reimagine themselves, not just as transit hubs, but as gateways to the halal lifestyle economy.
The idea is not merely symbolic. It is rooted in an economic rationale. Embedding Shariah-compliant practices into airport systems—spanning retail, finance, logistics, and passenger services—represents a viable strategic expansion that aligns with ethical finance, cultural identity, and rising global demand for values-based consumption.
Untapped Value in the Airport Economy
Airports are microcosms of modern commerce: they host banks, restaurants, retailers, lounges, hotels, and logistics providers. Each of these domains is compatible with Shariah principles and presents low-barrier opportunities for halal transformation. Consider the following:
- Halal Retail and F&B
Despite serving millions of Muslim travellers, many airport food outlets and retail stores lack official halal certification. Introducing halal-certified zones, curated halal cuisine, and alcohol-free lounges would cater to a growing demographic without alienating non-Muslim customers.
- Islamic Financial Services
Airports can serve as financial access points for Islamic banking. Foreign exchange desks, travel insurance counters, and remittance services can offer Shariah-compliant alternatives such as wakalah-based money exchange, takaful travel protection, and zakat collection points.
- Halal Travel & Pilgrimage Integration
Indonesia is the world’s largest source of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Airports could expand their role by creating pilgrimage experience zones—with visa services, manasik facilities, halal travel kits, and medical screening that align with Islamic ethics.
- Halal Supply Chain and Airport Logistics
From in-flight catering to cargo handling, airport logistics can be made halal-compliant through certified sourcing, warehousing, and cold-chain transport—making Indonesia a regional halal logistics hub for ASEAN and beyond.
Structural Challenges in Realizing a Halal Airport Ecosystem
Despite its promise, institutional and market constraints hinder rapid adoption:
- Regulatory Fragmentation
Shariah certification, airport concessions, and aviation regulations fall under different ministries. Lack of policy coordination makes it difficult to implement unified halal airport standards.
- Commercial Resistance
Operators often see halal transformation as restrictive or niche, failing to recognize it as a premium value proposition with global market appeal.
- Investor Awareness Gaps
There is a knowledge disconnect among investors and developers regarding the profitability and ROI of halal-aligned infrastructure. As a result, many airport PPPs and expansion plans overlook this component.
- Certification Barriers for SMEs
Many F&B vendors and logistics players in airports are micro-enterprises who lack the capacity or incentive to obtain halal certification under the current regime.
- Talent and Infrastructure Gaps
Designing prayer-friendly terminals, gender-sensitive service zones, or spiritually integrated lounges demands new design thinking, which is often missing from current airport development projects.
A Way Forward: Positioning Indonesia as a Global Halal Aviation Gateway
The road to integrating Shariah principles into airport ecosystems is not without complexity, but it is entirely possible. Several policy and business interventions could pave the way:
- National Halal Airport Framework
Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, along with BPJPH and Angkasa Pura Indonesia, should develop a unified roadmap to implement halal standards across select airports, starting with pilgrimage gateways like Soekarno-Hatta and Juanda.
- Public–Private Investment in Halal Zones
Special economic zones within airports can be dedicated to halal businesses, offering tax incentives, streamlined licensing, and halal certification assistance for F&B, fintech, logistics, and retail startups.
- Shariah-Based Retail Concessions
Airport authorities should consider tendering certain commercial zones specifically for halal-compliant operators, ensuring diversity of choice and market differentiation.
- Digital Pilgrimage Services Integration
From smart Umrah apps to Shariah travel packages, airports can partner with Muslim travel tech companies to offer seamless, ethically aligned experiences.
- Global Branding: Halal Airport as Soft Power
Indonesia can lead by example in creating the world’s first fully integrated halal-friendly international terminal—not just for its Muslim citizens, but as a model for Muslim travellers worldwide.
Ethical Business Is Competitive Business
Critically, a halal airport ecosystem is not only about religiosity—it is about trust, inclusivity, and sustainable value creation. In an age where travellers are more values-conscious than ever, integrating ethics into physical infrastructure is no longer optional—it is strategic.
Airports that pioneer this shift will enjoy:
- Higher customer loyalty among Muslim travellers,
- Access to Islamic financing instruments (e.g., sukuk) for expansion,
- Stronger reputation capital in the global halal tourism economy.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity No Longer
As the aviation industry reimagines itself in a post-COVID world, now is the time to go beyond resilience and focus on relevance. Indonesia has the right demography, regulatory ambition, and market opportunity to become a leader in halal-integrated airport infrastructure. By investing in Shariah-aligned airport ecosystems, the country not only enhances its economic potential but also strengthens its role as a moral and cultural bridge in the global economy. Ultimately, a great airport isn’t just about how quickly people move through it—it’s about how deeply their values are respected as they do.
