TANGERANG (HN) - Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi asked Lion Air Group to split the sky of India and the Middle East, to support Indonesian tourism. India and the Middle East have a common culture and religion with Indonesia, so that potential to bring in foreign tourists.
"Now we are assigning Lion Air to reach India, Pakistan, Bangladesh from Medan so that from the north there are many tourists," said Budi, in Cengkareng, Friday (21/7).
Budi said, Lion Air Group has been successful with increasing tourism Manado. Foreign tourists from China who go to Manado reach thousands per week. It is time for Lion Air Group to reach the sky of other Asian countries.
"We will support tourism activities and national connectivity," he said.
The government is targeting 20 million foreign tourists a year. He hopes that the number of regional and foreign Lion Air Group flights can help achieve government targets.
The first stage, said Budi, Lion Air Group could start with a flight to India. It is in charge of Air Service Agreement , so that Indonesian airlines can explore up to the cities of the two countries of India.
"If India already, to the Middle East more easily," he said.
Lion Air Group President Director Edward Sirait said it was committed to the growth of national tourism. Foreign tourists have been imported Lion Air Group to Manado and Batam from China. Various countries have been presented to Denpasar.
"The end of this month Batik will enter India at the latest, "he said Edward admitted that Medan is the target of expansion of flight routes to Asian countries Lion Air Group will bring foreign tourists into Medan and Denpasar
" Now the Air Service Agreement is being addressed Same Minister of Transportation. That we may be free to enter into other cities in addition to New Delhi and Mumbai, "he said.
These Batik Air that will be brought forward to bring foreign tourists to Indonesia from South Asia. Fleet will be prepared to assist flight Lion Air Group to the international route.
" We are preparing Airbus 330 and Boeing 737 Max 8, "he said.It only takes market and partner confidence in destination countries for operational sustainability.
Reportase: Dian Riski Rosmayanti
Editor: Mulya Achdami
