TEMPO.CO, Badung - I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali has again added international flight services following the opening of the Bali - Papua New Guinea route operated by Citilink Indonesia.

General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, lauded the low-cost carrier's first flight to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

“With the operation of the Bali - Papua New Guinea route, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport currently serves 30 international routes by 36 airlines. Previously, flights to Port Moresby were served by Air Niugini in 2018,” he said, on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

Citilink Indonesia’s flight number QG598 made its maiden flight from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Port Moresby at 04:20 local time. The Airbus A320 carried 45 passengers. The route is scheduled to fly twice a week, on Thursday and Sunday.

At present, Citilink serves two international routes at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, namely Dili and Port Moresby.

“The Bali - Port Moresby flight is momentum for I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to expand international routes after the pandemic. We served 12 million passengers last year, and we estimate the number to increase to 20.3 million passengers this year,” Handy said.

He also said the number of international flights will be increased at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport as his side continues to coordinate with all stakeholders.

“We congratulate Citilink on its first flight to Papua New Guinea. We hope this route can continue to grow and further enliven tourism on the island of Bali,” Handy concluded.

MADE ARGAWA

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