Batik Air Indonesia’s Inaugural Flight To Kuala Lumpur

By Anthony Tan 

VIRGIN Communications 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Today (19 June 2017), Batik Air Indonesia, a scheduled airline which made its inaugural flight from Soekarno - Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Malaysia. 

This is a daily flight that departs Soekarno - Hatta International Airport at 1435 (2:35pm [WIB - West Indonesian Time]) by Flight ID716 and is expected to arrive into KLIA at 1730 (5.30pm, Malaysian Time). The return flight of the same aircraft Flight 7162 to Soekarno - Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng will depart the same evening at 1920 (7:20pm, Malaysian Time) and is expected to arrive at 2020 (8:20pm [WIB - West Indonesian Time]).

Andy M Saladin

Andy M Saladin, Public Relation Manager of Lion Air Group said, “This is a form of additional service to our customers who want to travel on international routes to Kuala Lumpur. We hope that with this new destination we can provide a variety of choices to them. This route is also the beginning of the opening plan to several other countries by Batik Air such as Perth in Australia (scheduled to fly from June 21) and also India from Denpasar.

Senior General Manager of Malaysia Airports, Tuan Haji 
Zainol Moha Isa (Forth From Left) Presenting A Memento To
The Representative Of Batik Air Indonesia (In Red Batik Shirt)

This is Lion Air Group’s support for the Ministry of Tourism program to attract more foreign tourists. Tourists from Chennai and Kuala Lumpur will be able to continue their flight to other cities in Indonesia using Batik Air and other Lion Air Group airlines such as Lion Air and Wings Air.”

Officials From Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports And 
Batik Air Indonesia At The Business Class Cabin

Batik Air Indonesian has plans to increase its international routes after Singapore and Malaysia. In the pipeline, it plans to launch its maiden flight  to Perth, Australia on June 21st. Also on its drawing board, Batik Air Indonesian has drawn a new route from Denpasar to Chennai in India via Kuala Lumpur and vice versa.

To date, Batik Air has landed in 35 domestic destinations and with Singapore and Malaysia as the added current international destinations. Batik Air has a fleet combination of 49 aircrafts consisting of Boeing 737-800, 737-900ER and Airbus A320 CEOs to provide 250 connecting flights per day.

Batik Air's 737-900ERs are fitted with two-class seating. Batik Air provides a personal LED Screen for the in-flight entertainment system in every seat, light snacks and free meals are served during flight. The seat pitches of 32 inches (81 cm) for economy class and 45 inches (114 cm) for business class, and a free baggage allowance of 20 kg (44 lb) for economy class and 30 kg (66 lb) for business class.

Batik Air Quick Facts

Founded: 1 March 2013
Commenced operations: 3 May 2013

Hubs - International

Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
Jakarta - Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport

Focus cities    

Manado - Sam Ratulangi International Airport

Pekanbaru - Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport

Palembang - Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International
Airport

Frequent-flyer programme     Batik Frequent Flyer
Alliance                                   Lion Group
Fleet size                                47
Destinations                            26
Company slogan                    Journey Begins
Parent company                     Lion Air Group
Headquarters                         Jakarta, Indonesia
Key people                             Captain Achmad Luthfie (CEO)
Website                                  www.batikair.com

 

AirAsia And Terengganu Government To Jointly Promote Terengganu

By Anthony Tan 

VIRGIN Communications 

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

 

The Iconic Crystal Mosque In Kuala Terengganu

The Terengganu state government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline with the objectives to jointly reinforce the promotion of Terengganu as a local and international tourists’ destination. 

The signing ceremony was held at Dewan Besar, Wisma Darul Iman between Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd. Rahman, Chief Minister Terengganu, and Dato’ Aziz Bakar, a member of the Board of Directors of AirAsia Berhad.

(From second left) Terengganu Tourism director Tun Ahmad Faisal, AirAsia Berhad government relations chief Zamani Rafique, Terengganu State Secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail, Ahmad Razif, Aziz and AirAsia Berhad head of commercial unit Spencer Lee at the signing ceremony in Terengganu (Photo From AirAsia)

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Haji Ahmad Razif bin Abd. Rahman, Chief Minister Terengganu said, “Terengganu is ready to be known as a tourism state with efficient land and air accessibility, with good services, modern infrastructures and treasures of nature, culture and heritage.  

The additional Johor Bahru to Kuala Terengganu direct flights will definitely boost the arrival of tourists into Terengganu”.

Terengganu International Airport Is Unique In Its Design

Dato’ Aziz Bakar said, “In light with this year’s campaign themed ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017’, we are pleased to collaborate with the Terengganu state government to showcase the beauty and wonders of Terengganu throughout AirAsia’s extensive network. With our Fly-Thru product, travellers in Asia and beyond can connect seamlessly to Terengganu via our main hub in Kuala Lumpur.

Guests will soon be able to fly directly from Johor Bahru to Terengganu with the upcoming new route set to commence on the 22 June 2017. 
 

The Clear Water Off The Coast Of Terengganu

Other than its beautiful beaches, Terengganu is known for its signature local cuisine, historical sites and cultural attractions. With this collaboration, we will drive our marketing efforts to promote Terengganu as a must-visit destination in Malaysia. We are confident this will contribute significantly in achieving the state government’s target of 5.5 million tourist arrivals in Terengganu for this year.” 

AirAsia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu with 28 times weekly flights and will soon connect Kuala Terengganu to Johor Bahru with thrice-weekly flights.

In 2016 alone, AirAsia flew more than 420,000 passengers to Terengganu, with the top three feeder markets being Malaysia, China and Indonesia.

AirAsia announces Langkawi’s third direct international flights to Shenzhen, China

By Anthony Tan
Virgin Communications

email: anthonykhtan@yahoo.co.uk

Ms Aireen Omar, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia shanking hand with Minister of Transport, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. Looking on in white shirt is Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin, CEO Langkawi Development Authority (LADA)

AirAsia's announcement of its third direct international flights from Langkawi to Shenzhen, China was made by its chief executive officer Aireen Omar at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017. 

Also present was Minister of Transport Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. 

This new flight is scheduled to commence operations on 16 July 2017 with three flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday per week.

AirAsia had announced Langkawi as its international hub two years ago during the last LIMA. 

Aireen expects this latest international direct connectivity to further grow Langkawi’s position as a premier holiday destination in the region. 

She said, "AirAsia has always been committed towards expanding the markets that we operate in, and Langkawi is no exception. The number of passengers flown year-on-year into Langkawi has increased by 30% from 2015 to 2016.

“There is so much potential for Langkawi, and we know that with the resources that we are putting in such as marketing initiatives, we can expand the market demand for Langkawi from Shenzhen. AirAsia looks forward to working with all parties, especially from the tourism industry on both ends to ensure that we optimise on this new route.” 

Langkawi was AirAsia’s first route to be operated in 2001. The airline currently serves five routes from the island of Langkawi with 106 weekly flights to two international destinations (Singapore and Guangzhou), and three domestic flights (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru).

With this new initiative, Langkawi is set to attract more tourist arrivals from China as the island offers sun, sea and sand, which attract the Chinese travellers.

Bookings for this new route will be made available soon on AirAsia’s website as well as AirAsia’s mobile app on the iPhone and Android devices.