Mandala Airlines fly to Singapore from Jakarta and Balikpapan

PT Mandala Airlines has finally decided to fly to Singapore from two cities in Indonesia, namely Jakarta and Balikpapan.

Head of Corporate Communication of Mandala Airlines Trisia Megawati KD ensure that, by announcing the inaugural airline flights from Jakarta and Balikpapan to Singapore began last weekend. Mandala Airlines will use Airbus A320 with 180 seating capacity for the two routes.

"This inaugural flight load factor is quite high, about 98% for the route from Jakarta to Singapore and 90% for the Balikpapan-Singapore route," said Trisia. Trisia said the Jakarta-Singapore route will be served every day (return) as the route from Jakarta to Balikpapan (return) flown three times a week every Thursday, Friday and Sunday. For international flights, the Mandala Airlines will operate in Terminal 2D, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta and Terminal 2 at Changi Airport in Singapore.

For this inaugural flight passengers, Mandala Airlines will distribute electronic voucher worth IDR 500,000 and as many as 20 vouchers, 10 units of bicycles United Bike and 32 tickets from Jakarta to Singapore (return), 32 tickets Singapore – Balikpapan (return), 32 tickets Jakarta - Hong Kong (return) and 32 tickets from Jakarta to Macau (return). All the prizes are drawn on the plane and given to the inaugural flight passengers.

"Mandala Airlines is targeting a high load factor for the route from Jakarta to Singapore more than 90%. While the load factor to Singapore from Balikpapan targeted an average of about 85%," Trisia added.

Sriwijaya Air ready to compete with new airlines

PT Sriwijaya Air is ready to compete with new airlines which just open the operation. Commercial Director of PT Sriwijaya Air Toto Sursatyo say, within the next 10 years the Indonesian domestic passenger market will grow twice than the realization of 43.5 million passengers last year. The potential is obviously tempting for the new airline to be able to enjoy it.

"Currently there are now 400 regular aircraft operating in Indonesia. With passenger growth doubled, then it required 800 aircraft in 2020. The question now is, can the existing airlines meet the demand. So the industry really need a new player," said Toto.

However, Toto cautioned prospective new airline to set up a large capital with a solid business development plan before entering the airline industry. "New airline must be qualified, credible, and enough capital. Do not enter this industry if you just try it, could cripple," he added.

As is known, earlier this year Minister of Transportation has received a SIUP request from the eleven airlines. The company is FireFly, Fly Cargo, Megantara Air, Jatayu Airlines, North Aceh Air, Sultra Air, Phoenix, Love Air Services, Bee Air Charter, Spirit Global Service and Life Air.

However, the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) requested that the government stopped publishing SIUP until governments improve airport infrastructure has been assessed as unable to compensate for the increasing number of aircraft and passenger growth.

Garuda Indonesia re-open flight route to Hong Kong

Garuda Indonesia Airlines to reopen direct flights route from Denpasar, Indonesia to Hong Kong on Wednesday, June 2, 2010. At that point Garuda Indonesia is targeting to bring Hong Kong’s tourists around 2,500 per month.

According to General Manager of Garuda Indonesia, Denpasar Jubi Prasetyo, the target could be achieved if the load factor ranges from 70% to 75%. Of the potential that exists in Hong Kong, predicted to be able to achieve as much as the load factor 80% to 85%.

"Based on the market potential in Hong Kong, we will be able to achieve the load factor of 80 to 85 per cent," said Jubi after releasing the maiden flight to Hong Kong at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. The opening of this route, he said, is part of Garuda Indonesia strategy in developing the network in 2010, while anticipating the increase of tourist arrivals, especially from Hong Kong and China to Bali.

On schedule, Garuda Indonesia would serve the Denpasar-Hong Kong route four times a week, ie Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Even that frequency could be increased to every day if the market make possible.