Garuda Considering to Open Denpasar-Ambon Route

AMBON, MALUKU - National flag-carrier Garuda Indonesia is considering to open the Denpasar (Bali) - Ambon (Maluku) line, general manager of PT. AP I, Patimura airport branch, Reggynald Kronest, said.

"The management of Garuda Indonesia had expressed its wish to open the strategic route for the development of tourism in the two areas," he said here on Sunday.

Reggynald added that in principle he was ready to agree to the plan provided the permit had been filed by the management of the airline company.

"When the management of Garuda Indonesia expressed the wish, I asked it to proceed in accordance with the existing regulations as the Pattimura international airport in Ambon is ready to give maximum service," he said.

Actually, Garuda’s management had already been suggested to operate its planes at night if it opens the Denpasar - Ambon route.

"I suggested the Garuda planes to operate at nigh, as the Ambon-Makassar-Jakarta route is currently covered in the morning hours, and the Ambon-Makasaar-Surabaya route in the afternoon," Reggynald said.

He said that a similar suggestion was also made to the management of Sriwijaya Air wishing to operate more planes, as it is currently flying over the Ambon-Makassar-Jakarta route during the day.

"Therefore, Patimura airport in Ambon is currently very busy with 40-42 flights per day, carrying 1,200-1,300 passengers," Reggynald said.

He added that the opening of the Denpasar-Ambon route had also been suggested by Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalju. On the consideration that people of Bali from Maluku there reached more than 7.000 and many of them are tourist guides promoting Maluku to foreign tourists in the hope for a Denpasar-Ambon flight.

Earlier, General Manager of Garuda Indonesia, Ambon branch, Hendra Sumarno said the management needs to conduct a study to make sure that the opening of the Ambon-Denpasar route is of a commercial value.

"It needs to be prevented to operate Garuda Indonesia planes if each carries only 10-20 passengers, while each of the planes have a seating capacity for about 100 passengers, depending on the type of Boeing in operation," Hendra said.

Touching on the Ambon-Makassar-Jakarta flights, he said since it was opened on June 3 last year, the number of passengers is satisfying. And Garuda Indonesia is playing the role of "Sail Banda" airline company held from July 24 to August 17, 2010.

"We are also offering flights to Amsterdam considering the high number of Dutch people of Maluku descent is each year visiting their home towns.

They will be in Jakarta only two hours before flying back to Amsterdam, which would enable them to fly from Ambon straight to Holland," Hendra Sumarno said.