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Garuda Indonesia opens Jakarta – Banyuwangi direct flight route
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A Garuda Indonesia's Boeing B737-800 travels through the taxiway at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, on Oct. 13, 2016 (The Jakarta Post/Bagus BT. Saragih)
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tarting September 8, Indonesia’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will operate a new direct flight route from Jakarta to Banyuwangi.
The departure time from Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta is set at 02:10 p.m. and will arrive at Blimbingsari Airport, Banyuwangi at 03:55 p.m.
Meanwhile, the return flight is scheduled at 05:10 p.m. and will arrive in Jakarta in 06:50 p.m. The flights for this route will only be available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Banyuwangi regent Azwar Anas was happy about the news, the opening of this route would increase the growth of Banyuwangi, especially its tourism. “I never would have thought that the flight development in Banyuwangi would be this fast,” said Azwar.
“The flow of tourists coming in will help expand the business sector in Banyuwangi. Of course it will positively impact the economy, tourism can drive other sectors to increase people’s income per capita and reduce the poverty rate,” added Azwar.
Read also: Ten must-visit places in Banyuwangi
With this new route, Blimbingsari Airport will welcome six flights every day, Jakarta – Banyuwangi route with three flights from Nam Air and Garuda Indonesia, and Surabaya – Banyuwangi route with three flights by Wings Air and Garuda Indonesia.
“Jakarta is the economic heart of Indonesia, the city has one of the highest number of domestic and overseas tourists. The additional route from Garuda Indonesia will ease up the mobility issue in other areas near Banyuwangi such as Jember, Bondowoso, Situbondo and West Bali,” told Azwar.
Tourism minister Arief Yahya is scheduled to board the inaugural flight from Jakarta to Banyuwangi with flight number GA 264 on September 8.
Arief encouraged Banyuwangi to have an international airport in order to increase the number of international tourists.
With the presence of an international airport, Banyuwangi could set up a target of 100,000 overseas tourists for 2019.
“The location of Banyuwangi is very strategic because it’s close to Bali […] If one overseas tourist spent 10 to 12 million rupiahs during his or her visit, the foreign exchange could reach Rp 1.5 billion, this a huge number. Then there’s also the income from domestic tourists. If one tourist spent one million there would be an addition of one trillion rupiahs,” said Arief. (asw)
