Garuda begins new cargo service route<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is plying
\nits Boeing B-737-200C cargo jet on the Jakarta-Batam route to
\nfacilitate businesspeople.<\/p>\n
Garuda's manager in Batam, Iskandar Basro, said yesterday that
\nthe service, now on trial until October, would be cheaper for
\nbusinesspeople than sending their goods through Singapore.<\/p>\n
Exporters previously had no choice but to transport their
\ngoods through Singapore's Changi airport to their final
\ndestination, he said.<\/p>\n
"Cargo handling in Batam reached 110 tons in 1996. The figure
\nis likely to increase this year because there are several
\ninternational flights in Batam: to Manila, London and Jeddah,"
\nAntara quoted Basro as saying.<\/p>\n
Garuda is currently negotiating with several overseas airlines
\nincluding China Airlines, Korea Airlines and Air France to
\ncooperate in air cargo handling. Proposed routes include Paris-
\nBatam-Jakarta and Seoul-Batam-Jakarta, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
The Hang Nadim Airport on Batam Island, Riau, an international
\nairport for both scheduled and chartered passenger and cargo
\nflights, will compete with Changi Airport as an international
\ntransport hub.<\/p>\n
Batam, about 20 kilometers southeast of Singapore, has been
\ndeveloped since the early 1970s as an industrial and tourist
\nzone.<\/p>\n
The Hang Nadim airport is on the island's east coast. It is
\noverseen by the Batam Industrial Development Authority which is
\nchaired by State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie.<\/p>\n
Garuda launched its first cargo jet last October in a bid to
\ncash in on the booming Asian airfreight business. The airline
\nplans to operate at least two cargo jets, at least one to serve
\nmajor cities in eastern Indonesia, including Surabaya, Denpasar,
\nUjungpandang, Manado, Biak and Jayapura. (icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/garuda-begins-new-cargo-service-route-1447893297",
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