Mandala to Open Four New Flight Routes in December

Budget carrier Mandala Airlines is preparing to launch four new routes by the end of this year following expansion of its fleet. There will be two new domestic routes, Jakarta – Padang and Denpasar – Surabaya; and two international routes, Padang – Singapore and Denpasar – Singapore. The new routes will be served by new 180 seats Airbus A320s. Mandala, which is 33% owned by Singapore’s Tiger Airways, currently flies five routes in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. (source: The Jakarta Post)

New Commercial Airport in Purbalingga, Central Java

Wirasaba airbase, 115 hectares military airbase owned by the Air Force (TNI AU), will be converted into commercial airport as written by the Jakarta post. It is located in Wirasaba village, Bukateja district, Purbalingga regency, Central Java.

Four nearby regents which are Banjarnegara, Banyumas, Purbalingga and Wonosobo have stated their support along with one of Indonesia’s pioneer airlines, PT Asi Pudjiastuti Aviation, locally known as Susi Air.

Principle permit for the conversion of the Wirasaba Airbase into commercial or civilian airport had been issued since April 2007 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on April 30, 2007, between the Air Force and the regency administration. Due to technical issues, the conversion has been delayed until now.

With this conversion, it will be expected to encourage more investors to do business in the southern region of Central Java.