Garuda Opens Ambon - Bau-bau Route

AMBON, Maluku, Feb 1 (Antara) - Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia will open a direct flight route of Ambon-Bau-Bau (Southeast Sulawesi) starting on March 7, 2018. "We will open a new route from Ambon - Bau-Bau starting on March 7, 2018. It is after we received a management decision from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation related to the feasibility of the route," Garuda Indonesia Sales and Marketing Manager of Ambon branch, Agny Gallus Pratama, said here on Wednesday. According to Gallus, the Ambon - Bau-Bau flight will be served twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday using ATR with a capacity of 70 passengers. The flight from Pattimura Airport (Ambon) is available at 11.55 at local time and arrives at Betoambari Airport (Bau-Bau) at 12.45 at local time. "The direct flight of Ambon - Bau-Bau is expected to increase the number of tourist arrivals in Bau-Bau and help the locals in doing trips," Gallus said. Gallus added that the opening of this new route was an effort by the Provincial Administration. "Currently, we can only open the route twice in a week. We will see the potential in the future. If it is promising, then we will open flights every day," Gallus said. The flight is the company's commitment to maximize air connectivity to support national tourism in Southeast Sulawesi, especially in Wakatobi which is one of ten national priority destinations. From Bau-Bau people can continue their journey to Wakatobi to enjoy the undersea beauty.