The routes would be served once a day in a return flight for each route, where both would be flying with a Boeing B737-500. The plane has a capacity of 120 seats, comprising 112 economy seats and eight executive. 

"With the opening of this route, it would be easier for passengers to travel from Jakarta to Bima and Tambolaka," Agus Soedjono, NAM Air senior corporate communications manager, said in a press release on Monday as quoted by kompas.com. 

Agus said the flight from Bima to Denpasar would also be able to connect travelers to other big cities in Indonesia, such as to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Labuan Bajo and Makassar. 

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The Tambolaka-Denpasar flight would also expand connection, Agus added, saying that it would connect flights heading to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Maumere, Waingapu, Labuan Bajo and Makassar. 

Agus said the routes were opened as a response to the economic and tourism potential of Bima and Tambolaka. 

Bima has mining potentials such as marble, iron sand, limestone, gold and manganese, Agus said. It has also become one of the transit cities of the residents of East Nusa Tenggara, Bali and South Sulawesi. 

"In addition, Bima also has exotic tourist attractions such as Mount Tambora and coastal tourism of international standards," Agus said. 

Tambolaka meanwhile is home to world famous beaches, such as Nihiwatu Beach and Watu Maladong Beach, he added. (liz/kes)