TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Low-cost carrier (LCC) Citilink Indonesia plans to expand its connectivity to the eastern region of Indonesia by opening a new flight route to Papua.
"The opening of this route has been one of our priorities. This is an important step in Citilink’s effort to expand connectivity in order to connect Aceh and Papua," Citilink Indonesia President and CEO Albert Burhan said in a statement on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.
Albert said that Citilink will begin passing through the skies of Papua on October 2016. The new rout will connect Jakarta and Jayapura using Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 seats. “Citilink Indonesia will open a daily flight from Jakarta to Jayapura through a transit flight,” Albert said.
A team from Citilink is currently discussing about the concept and preparation of the new route. "We have previously conducted a feasibility study. Jayapura has good market potential in passenger and cargo transport. We continue to assess and study so the route could soon be opened," Albert said.
Albert confirmed that Citilink is currently in the process of applying for a flight slot for the Jayapura airport to the Transportation Ministry.