Low-cost carrier Mandala, which resumed operations in April this year, is linking up more places in Indonesia by launching two new daily flights for both Padang and Denpasar from December 1.
The airline will start flights between Padang and Singapore. Flight RI892 will leave Padang at 0755 and arrive in Singapore at 0955, with the return leg RI893 departing the Lion City at 2055 to land at 2055.
It will also begin daily flights between Padang and Jakarta. Flight RI081 will depart Padang at 2135 and arrive in Jakarta at 2310, with RI080 leaving Jakarta at 0535 and landing in Padang at 0710.
Padang is the capital of West Sumatra, the western province of Sumatra – Indonesia’s largest island in the northwest of the country. It is a centre for the country's industrial development and a base for mining industries. The city is home to Teluk Bayur port which handles a significant amount of shipping.
“For the Padang routes, we hope the new service will help grow the economy of Padang and West Sumatra,” Mandala’s commercial director Brata Rafly told the Jakarta Post.
Mandala will also begin flights between Denpasar, the capital of Bali, and Singapore. Flight RI834 will depart Denpasar at 1745 and arrive in Singapore at 2020, with the return leg leaving at 1035 to land at 1310.
In addition it will start to fly from Denpasar to Surabaya. Flight RI602 will depart at 1340 and arrive at 1330, with flight RI603 leaving at 1500 to land at 1650.
Mandala Airlines suspended services at the beginning of 2011 due to large debts, but then restarted flights in April this year after investment from the Singapore-based low-cost carrier Tiger Airways, which now owns a significant stake in the airline (see here). The airline has launched numerous new routes through the summer, starting its first international service between Jakarta and Singapore in April and then between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur a month later (see here).
For more information, visit www.mandalaair.com
Nicholas Olczak
