TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, NAM Air, a subsidiary of Sriwijaya Group, launched a direct flight between Jakarta and Banyuwangi today, June 16.
The first flight carried Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.
Budi said the direct flight between Jakarta and Banyuwangi is a strategic step to improve the latter’s tourism and economy. “I appreciate that Sriwijaya and NAM Air have selected potential regions,” he said today at Terminal 2F of Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang.
NAM Air today also launched new direct flights between Jakarta and Pangkalanbun, Jakarta and Sampit, Jakarta and Mamuju, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Semarang and Pangkalanbun, as well as Denpasar and Manado.
According to Arief, Banyuwangi has considerable potential.
Aside from facilitating tourists, direct access to Banyuwangi will have an impact on its surrounding areas, such as Situbondo, Bondowoso, and Jember.
NAM Air president director Jefferson expects that the direct flight will help improve Indonesia’s economy. “We are hopeful that Sriwijaya and NAM Air can assist the government with improving tourism and the economy,” he said.
MAYA AYU PUSPITASARI