Jakarta Globe, Eko Adityo Nugroho, Jul 21, 2014
Jakarta. Batik Air, a full-service carrier unit of Lion Air group, will use 13 new aircraft this year, adding to the six planes it operates now to boost service to Indonesia’s eastern region.
A Batik Air aircraft at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s Terminal 3 in Jakarta on April 25, 2013. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) |
Jakarta. Batik Air, a full-service carrier unit of Lion Air group, will use 13 new aircraft this year, adding to the six planes it operates now to boost service to Indonesia’s eastern region.
The 13
aircraft will be composed of seven Airbus A320-200 and six Boeing 737-800, said
Achmad Lutfie, the president director at Batik.
“With the
arrival of 13 new planes, by the end of this year, our fleet will consist of 19
planes,” he said recently.
The planes
will gradually arrive starting from August until the end of the year. Batik Air
now flies six 737-900ER aircraft.
Achmad said
Batik will add some flights to some existing routes as well as adding new ones.
”For
example, the Ujung Pandang [Makassar, South Sulawesi province]-Ternate [Maluku
island] route will be increased from two to five flights a day. For the opening
of some new routes, those include Ujung Pandang–Timika [Papua]. This, however,
still awaits permits from the Transportation Ministry,” he said.
Apart from
few competition and limited flight slots, the route to Indonesia’s eastern
territory is expected to increase, along with the economic growth in the region
and the rising demand for business trips as well as tourism trips, Achmad said.
Average capacity ratio on its planes from Jakarta, starting from early in the
morning, is up to 90 percent, he added.
Apart from
domestic route expansion, Batik Air also plans to expand into regional flights,
such as setting up a Jakarta-Singapore route before the end of this year. This
plan also awaits approval from regulators of both countries.
“Singapore
is still a popular destination. Should the permits be issued, we plan to fly
five times a day,” said Achmad.
Batik Air,
catering to more affluent consumers, launched its first service in May last
year with the debut route of Jakarta-Manado [North Sulawesi].
Full
service means the ticket fare includes meals, baggage and other facilities like
inflight entertainment and telecommunication services.
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