ings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air Group, launched its maiden flight from Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang on Sunday, arriving safely at Lombok International Airport (LIA) at 11:05 p.m. local time.
The flight used the ATR 72-500/600 aircraft, which can accommodate 78 passengers.
"This Lombok-Semarang route adds a new service at LIA to big cities on Java Island. Hopefully, we can continue to add new routes to open more connections to and from Lombok Island to other regions," LIA general manager I Gusti Ngurah Ardita told The Jakarta Post on Monday in Mataram.
Ardita added that the move also aimed to support the development of tourism in Lombok.
Read also: Wings Air opens second international flight to Sarawak
This year alone, as of March, LIA reportedly has opened three new routes, namely AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur, Nam Air to Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, and Lion Air to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.
Putri Muslimah of the LIA public relations team said the airport was currently serving flights to 12 domestic destinations, namely Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Surabaya, Bali, Sumbawa, Bima, Benete, Makasar, Banjarmasin and Semarang.
"Additionally, LIA also serves two international routes, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore," she said.
LIA is also expected to develop its services and facilities by constructing a drop zone hallway, airport apron and taxiway and expanding its terminal. (kes)
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