TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has reopened routes heading Timor Leste by launching a Denpasar-Dili flight route on Friday, October 24, 2014.

Garuda Indonesia's Head of Corporate Communications, Pujobroto, said at a Gala Dinner in Sanur, Bali, on Thursday evening that the re-opening of the route is a part of Garuda Indonesia's commitment to improve aerial links between Indonesia and East Timor.

"Flights would resume on Friday, October 24, 2014 from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, and the return flight from Dili into Denpasar will also leave on the same day," said Pujobroto.

Pujobroto said that the decision to resume services into Dili was taken to accommodate passenger demands, especially as commerce and other economic activities between the two nations continues to flourish.

Pujobroto explained that Garuda Indonesia flight GA7300 will leave from Denpasar at 07:30 local time, before arriving in Dili at 10:20 local time. Meanwhile, the return flight will be served by flight number GA7310, which leaves Dili at 11:25 local time and scheduled to arrive in Denpasar at 12:15 local time.

Garuda Indonesia's East Timor services will be served by Garuda's own Boeing 737-500 with a total capacity of 96 passengers - comprising of 12 seats in Business Class and 84 seats in Economy Class.

Garuda Indonesia's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emirsyah Satar said that in addition to expanding Garuda Indonesia's international reach, the Denpasar-Dili service will increase passenger traffic between the two countries.

Furthermore, the decision to resume services into Dili is in line with Garuda Indonesia's commitment to support the Indonesian government's program - which aims to increase bilateral exchanges between the neigbouring countries.

ANTARANEWS