Indonesian airline TransNusa yesterday (1 April) introduced five new domestic routes to boost domestic and foreign tourism spending and travel.
The new routes are from Bali to the world’s diving paradise Manado; Manado to the home of the world’s richest coral reef and rare marine species, Raja Ampat, Sorong; Manado to Indonesia’s Island of Spices, Ambon; Sorong to Ambon; and Sorong to Timika, home to the Jaya Wijaya mountain, which is the highest peak in Indonesia.
Flights for the new routes begin between 1 April and 19 April, depending on TransNusa’s scheduled timeline.
According to TransNusa group chief executive officer, Datuk Bernard Francis, increasing air connectivity within tourism destinations is part of the Indonesian government’s “Eight Strategic Steps” in boosting national tourism performance.
“We would like to play our part in boosting and increasing air connectivity within tourism destinations in the country to assist the Government (to) realise its tourism development plans. Our focus is in increasing direct flights to destinations that have high (tourism) potential and are world-renowned for their unique and stunning landscape and natural offerings,” he said, adding that Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands – each one boasting its own stunning and vibrant panoramas.
In keeping with its new player, new rules character, TransNusa has yet again implemented a strategy that allows the airline to become the first in the world to offer a direct flight between two of the world’s legendary destinations, Bali and Manado.
Starting today (2 April), TransNusa flies on a round-trip route from Bali to Manado thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The scheduled flight departs from the Denpasar International Airport in Bali at 1:40 am and arrives at Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado at 4:05 am. The return flight will depart Manado at 5:45 am with an estimated arrival time in Bali at 8:25 am.
TransNusa’s flight from Manado to Sorong will depart Manado from Sam Ratulangi International Airport and arrive at the Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong. TransNusa will fly this round-trip route 11 times weekly. It has a daily scheduled direct flight and one additional scheduled direct flight on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The daily scheduled direct flight will depart from Manado at 9:00 am and arrive in Sorong at 11:20 am. The second scheduled direct flight will depart Manado at 4:10 pm and arrive in Sorong at 6:20 pm while the scheduled flight from Sorong to Manado will depart at 11:45 am and arrive at 12:10 pm. The additional scheduled flight will depart Sorong at 4:00 pm and arrive in Manado at 4:20 pm. The daily round-trip scheduled direct flights will begin on 5 April (Friday) while the additional round-trip direct scheduled flight will begin from Manado on 17 April (Wednesday) and from Sorong on 18 April (Thursday).
Bernard explained that these new routes were chosen because Raja Ampat in Sorong is one of Indonesia’s best-kept secrets.
He further commented, “According to the National Geography Channel, Raja Ampat is the epicentre of marine biodiversity on the planet and is the world’s stronghold of healthy coral reefs. As such, it was only natural for TransNusa to introduce a direct flight from Manado to Sorong, in an effort to encourage and increase domestic and foreign tourism within the two destinations.”
Meanwhile, TransNusa’s flight from Manado to Ambon will depart from Sam Ratulangi International Airport at 12:40 pm and arrive at the Pattimura International Airport in Ambon at 2:50 pm. The daily scheduled flight will depart Ambon at 3:15 pm and arrive at Manado at 3:40 pm. TransNusa’s daily scheduled direct flights for this round-trip route will begin on 5 April (Friday).
“Ambon, known as the Island of Spices, is also a gateway to Banda Islands, Seram Island and even the Kei Islands. In addition, Ambon has some of the most pristine beaches and has an incredible natural landscape with sandy beaches and crystal-clear water,” said Bernard, adding that TransNusa will have daily scheduled flights to Ambon, not only from Manado but also from Sorong.
TransNusa’s flight from Sorong to Ambon will depart from the Domine Eduard Osok Airport at 9:00 am and arrive at the Pattimura International Airport in Ambon at 10:00 am. The return flight from Ambon will depart at 10:25 am and arrive in Sorong at 11:25 am. The daily round-trip flight will begin on 18 April 18 (Thursday).
Meanwhile, on the Timika route, Bernard said, “Timika, where the seventh highest mountain in the world is located, is not only a tourist destination but also home to many who work at the Timika gold mine. The dual demand for flights to Timika makes it a high potential but underserved market.”
TransNusa’s flight from Sorong to Timika will depart Sorong from Domine Eduard Osok Airport at 12:10 pm and arrive at the Mozes Kilangin International Airport at 1:30 pm. The TransNusa flight will depart Timika at 1:55 pm and arrive in Sorong at 3:15 pm. The daily scheduled flights for this route will also take off on 18 April (Thursday).
Since the injection of new shareholders and management team in 2022, TransNusa has been implementing innovative and creative strategies and introducing new routes aggressively.
The airline became a Premium Service Carrier and became Indonesia’s second airline to introduce flights to China from Jakarta last year. In the same year, TransNusa launched its maiden international flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and within the subsequent eight months, it successfully launched three new international routes.
Source: PT TransNusa Aviation Mandiri via ACN Newswire
