TEMPO.CO, Balikpapan - Low-cost carrier Lion Air has opened a new route connecting Denpasar in Bali and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan without transit starting Friday, September 9, 2022. The domestic scheduled flight will be available every day from Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.

The airline’s spokesperson Danang Mandala Prihantoro said the direct flight route is expected to ease public mobility, especially among tourists and business people.

“It will shorten the travel time,” said Danang in a written statement, Friday, September 9, 2022.

The airline will operate Boeing 737-800 Next Generation with a capacity of 189 economy class seats and Boeing 737-900ER with a capacity of 215 economy class seats.

With this route, said Danang, passengers could continue flights from and to Bandung, Jakarta, Kupang, Makassar, Manado, Solo, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bima, Ende, Labuan Bajo, Lombok, Maumere, Semarang, Tambolaka, Waingapu, as well as from and to international routes, such as Brisbane, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, and Sydney.

At present, Balikpapan Airport has flight routes to Jakarta, Makassar, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Banjarmasin, Berau, Malinau, Palu, Tanjungselor, and Tarakan.

Danang also said Lion Air's new route could help expedite the economic recovery in the provinces of East Kalimantan and Bali.

JONIANSYAH HARDJONO

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