PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk inaugurate flights Balikpapan – Singapore in Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan, on Thursday (26/7). This route is the development of the Makassar-Singapore flights route to become Makassar-Balikpapan-Singapore route.
Flights from Balikpapan to Singapore started operations on this Friday (07/27/2012). After arriving from Makassar, the plane is scheduled to depart from Balikpapan at 10:55 pm. This flight using Boeing 737-500 aircraft with a capacity of 96 passenger, configuration are 12 passengers in executive class and 84 passengers in economy class.
Inauguration of the flight was conducted by VP Eastern Area Indonesia Garuda Indonesia Rosyinah. Also present at the event East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak, Mulawarman Military Commander Gen. Subekti and Balikpapan Mayor Rizal Effendi.
Rosyinah said the initial opening of the route will be scheduled four direct flights from Balikpapan to Singapore which is on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. If the potential is quite interesting, it would be possible to open a flight to Singapore every day. "We are still exploring the potential," said Rosyinah.
Meanwhile, Governor Awang Faroek also hoped that Garuda can also reach out to other areas in East Kalimantan, including linking East Kalimantan and provinces other in Kalimantan Island. Flight is expected to become the air bridge for the people who are in a region that is constrained by the limited infrastructure of roads and bridges.
In terms of tourism, airlines are also welcome. Chairman of the Balikpapan Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) Doddy Achadiyat in East Kalimantan added promotion should also be intensively conducted in Singapore.
Campaign was carried out at least three times a year to introduce the potential areas in London and East Kalimantan. According to this Achadiyat to passengers entering the country also increased. "If only our citizens who traveled to Singapore, of the effect, the advantage is only felt in Singapore. It would be great if the outside is also drawn to come here so that the velocity of money in the country is also happening," said Achadiyat also the manager of Sagita Hotel in Balikpapan.
