Garuda Indonesia launches re-operations of Singapore-Medan flight
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Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia, today launched the re-operation of a daily flight between Singapore and Medan. The flight reopening is in line with the airline’s future expansion plan, and the continuously commitment as the flag-carrier to help boost Indonesia’s economic, business, and tourism growth, as well as part of its effort to further strengthen the backbone of its connectivity in Southeast Asia region in line with the Open Sky policy.
The relaunches ceremony was located at the Changi International Airport, and proudly unveiled by Indonesian Minister of Tourism Mr Arief Yahya, President & CEO Garuda Indonesia M. Arif Wibowo, Indonesian Ambassador for Singapore H.E. Ngurah Swanjaya, VP Airline Development Changi Airport Group Damon Wong, along with other officials of Garuda Indonesia Board of Director and Tourism Ministry of Indonesia.
President & CEO Garuda Indonesia M. Arif Wibowo stated that aside from the airline’s expansion program, the reoperation of the flight is also a commitment to support Indonesian government program in boosting the Top 10 Priority Destinations in which one of them is Lake Toba.
“We believe this new service will stimulate growth of business and trade in the region, more so as Medan is strategically located as the gateway to Sumatera and the rest of Indonesia’s western regions. The new service will offer passengers a wider choice of destinations as well as greater flexibility and convenience when travelling between Singapore and cities in Sumatera, such as Palembang, Banda Aceh, Sabang, Lheuksmawe, Gunung Sitoli, and Pinangsori,” he added.
Apart from business and leisure travel, many visitors from Singapore come to Medan as the city is quite well known for its vibrant mix of cultures and reputation as a culinary paradise as well as popular tourism attractions.
Commenting on the airline’s strategic initiative, Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya explained that Singapore is considered as an international transportation hub, as well as the tourism hub for Indonesia. Furthermore, the Minister also promotes Lake Toba, one of the Top 10 Priority Destinations in Indonesia.
“The service will depart from Changi Airport at 11.15am and arrive at Kualanamu International Airport at 11.45am local time.”
“Toba is the largest and deepest volcanic lake in the world. Lake Toba is a giant caldera, with crater formed by the eruption of a super volcano 74,000 years ago. Experts believe that huge explosion of Toba volcano was the largest in the last 2 million years, and had triggered a dramatic volcanic storm. As an attraction, Lake Toba is a very distinctive, world-class natural landscape,” he added.
The Medan-bound service will run daily and will be operated by Garuda’s Boeing 738 aircraft with a two-class cabin configuration featuring its globally praised Business Class service concept and the World’s Best Economy Class (Skytrax Global Airline Awards 2013).
The service will depart from Changi Airport at 11.15am and arrive at Kualanamu International Airport at 11.45am local time. The return flights to Singapore will depart Kualanamu International Airport at 13.30pm and arrive at Changi Airport at 16.00pm local time.
Garuda Indonesia had also launched the Wonderful Indonesia Travel Pass last January in an effort to promote Indonesia’s tourist destinations beyond its main hub, as well as to boost travel, by making travelling within Indonesia a truly affordable and seamless experience.
The launch of this service is part of Garuda Indonesia’s 50th Anniversary in Singapore. The airline’s presence in Singapore, for over 50 years, marks Singapore not only as one of the airline’s most important markets, but also as a symbol of an even better relationship between the two countries in the next fifty years. Ever since the first day of its consecutive operations in Singapore 50 years ago, the airline has grown considerably and transformed into one of Asia’s most successful airlines.
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of aircraft will Garuda Indonesia use for the Singapore-Medan route?
What kind of aircraft will Garuda Indonesia use for the Singapore-Medan route?
The service will be operated by Garuda’s Boeing 738 aircraft. It features a two-class cabin configuration, including its Business Class service concept and the World’s Best Economy Class, according to the Skytrax Global Airline Awards 2013.
Q.What is the reason for Garuda Indonesia re-operating the Singapore-Medan flight?
What is the reason for Garuda Indonesia re-operating the Singapore-Medan flight?
The flight reopening aligns with the airline’s future expansion plan and its commitment as a flag-carrier to boost Indonesia’s economic, business, and tourism growth. It also aims to strengthen connectivity in Southeast Asia.
Q.Which specific Indonesian destination is being promoted in connection with this new service?
Which specific Indonesian destination is being promoted in connection with this new service?
Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya promotes Lake Toba, describing it as the largest and deepest volcanic lake in the world. It is one of the Top 10 Priority Destinations supported by the Indonesian government.
Q.When do the return flights from Kualanamu International Airport to Changi Airport depart?
When do the return flights from Kualanamu International Airport to Changi Airport depart?
The return flights to Singapore will depart Kualanamu International Airport at 13.30pm local time. They are scheduled to arrive at Changi Airport at 16.00pm local time.
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