Garuda, Sriwijaya to open new routes

JAKARTA. Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia and privately owned Sriwijaya Air are going to open new international and domestic routes during the second quarter in a bid to tap into the growing demand for travel.

Garuda is scheduled to connect Medan, North Sumatra, with Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 1 to cater the increasing umrah (minor haj) and haj market, Antara reported Monday.

Garuda's vice president for domestic 1 Sumatra zone Dony Widojoko said that the carrier would provide three flights a week for the Medan-Jeddah route.

He said that the route was the airline's concrete commitment to make Kuala Namu International Airport an important hub.

Meanwhile, Sriwijaya Air will link Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Merauke, Papua, on April 16, 2014 with its Boeing B737-300 aircraft,Tribunnews.com reported.

Sriwijaya's Makassar district manager Sri Budianto said that his airline would fly between the two cities three times a week. (nfo)