The Embraer E190-E2 regional jet received a water cannon salute and was welcomed by representatives from the Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy, West Java Tourism Agency, airport management and other related institutions.

The Embraer E190-E2 regional jet has 112 economy class-only seats in a four abreast configuration.

Scoot will serve the Singapore-Kertajati route twice weekly with flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Flight TR292 leaves Singapore’s Changi International Airport at 5 a.m. and arrives at Kertajati at 6:05 a.m. The return flight TR293 leaves Kertajati at 6:40 a.m. and arrives at Changi at 9:35 a.m. All times are local.

The airline reported that the first flight to Kertajati had a load factor of 70 percent.

Ni Made Ayu Marthini, the deputy for marketing at the Tourism Ministry, welcomed the inaugural flight to Kertajati as an important step in the development of international connectivity to Indonesia, especially to West Java.

“The new route reflects the potential for Kertajati International Airport and opens new opportunities for tourism and the creative economy in West Java,” Ayu said in a media statement issued by Scoot.

“We look forward to our continuing partnership with Scoot as we enhance and contribute to the growth of Indonesia and Singapore’s travel and tourism sectors.”

Meanwhile, Scoot chief commercial officer Scoot Calvin Chan said the airline, a subsidiary of flag carrier Singapore Airlines, was excited to launch its inaugural flight to Kertajati.

“As a gateway to greater Bandung, the new Indonesia destination has much to offer in terms of natural beauty, architectural charm and local culture,” Chan said in a media statement.

“For locals and residents, the new route provides more convenience with a direct air link to Singapore and improved connectivity to other destinations in Scoot’s wider network.”

Apart from flying to Kertajati, Scoot also flies to Denpasar, Balikpapan, Jakarta, Lombok, Makassar, Manado, Pekanbaru, Surabaya and Yogyakarta.

Meanwhile, Scoot also reported that it will increase the flights from Singapore to Balikpapan and Makassar from three flights a week to four flights a week starting on Oct. 27.

The flights to and from Balikpapan's Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman International Airport will be available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, while the flights to and from Makassar's Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport will be available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

With the additional flights, Scoot will operate 78 flights per week to destinations in Indonesia, the airline said in a statement. (nvn)