Take cheap flight to westernmost Weh Island<\/p>\n
By Yasad Ali<\/p>\n
BANDA ACEH, Aceh (Antara): A man was busy explaining to his
\nchildren and wife the beautiful landscape below as the light
\neight-seater airplane approached the airstrip on Weh Island.<\/p>\n
The family was visibly happy and it was probably the first
\ntime they had flown. It is a 15-minute flight from Banda Aceh to
\nWeh Island, now being beautified and promoted as a tourist
\ndestination.<\/p>\n
Weekly flights to the island aboard the light plane are
\norganized by PT Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter (SMAC), and are a
\nspecial attraction for locals and people from other islands
\nwanting to explore Indonesia's westernmost island.<\/p>\n
\"We meant to enjoy the flight,\" said Ahmad, who works in Weh's
\nmain town of Sabang but lives in Banda Aceh. He returned to Banda
\nAceh aboard the same plane after a half hour stopover in Sabang.<\/p>\n
SMAC began operating the Banda Aceh-Sabang route on May 31.
\nThe light plane also serves the Medan-Sinabung (on Simeule
\nIsland)-Banda Aceh route on Mondays.<\/p>\n
The company decided to operate the Banda Aceh-Sabang route
\nbecause Sabang is the only western territory included in the
\nstate-sponsored Integrated Economic Development scheme, where
\ntourism is expected to generate major revenue.<\/p>\n
\"The extra flight is to support the government's scheme, and
\nin return the government subsidies the flight,\" SMAC Banda Aceh
\nrepresentative Saifullah said.<\/p>\n
The actual cost of the flight from Banda Aceh to Sabang is Rp
\n68,500, but the government pays for half of this cost.<\/p>\n
Saifullah said the operational cost for a Banda Aceh-Sabang
\nflight is about Rp 250,000 (about US$42). With eight seats on the
\nplane costing Rp 32,000 ($5) each, the company would lose money
\non the route without the government subsidy.<\/p>\n
The flight has received an enthusiastic response from the
\nresidents of Weh. Until the flight began, the island of 24,000
\npeople and Banda Aceh were connected by a ferry which ran once a
\nday.<\/p>\n
\"We have been overwhelmed by ticket reservations in both Banda
\nAceh and Weh Island. You can imagine. It is a weekly flight and
\nthe aircraft only carries eight passengers,\" Saifullah said.<\/p>\n
The aircraft leaves Banda Aceh every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. and
\narrives on Weh Island at 7:45 a.m. It is expected that in the
\nfuture, most of the people flying between Banda Aceh and Weh will
\nbe holidaymakers.<\/p>\n
The plane returns to Banda Aceh some 30 minutes after its
\narrival in Weh. Another advantage, according to Saifullah, is
\nthat passengers from Sabang can travel on to Medan or Jakarta on
\nthe same day.<\/p>\n
TM Yusuf, a Sabang resident, said he hoped that in the future,
\nthe Banda Aceh-Sabang route would be served by a larger aircraft,
\nsuch as a Cassa which has the capacity to carry 19 passengers. He
\nalso said the number of flights to the island could be increased
\nto two a week because Weh was becoming increasingly popular among
\nforeign tourists who wanted to enjoy the island's natural beauty.<\/p>\n
Saifullah conceded the eight-seater SMAC aircraft was just too
\nsmall. He promised to look into the possibility of a larger
\naircraft and more flights.<\/p>\n
For its regular Medan-Sinabang-Banda Aceh route, the aircraft
\nleaves Medan at 7 a.m. and arrives in Sinabung at 8:25 a.m. Then
\nit flies to Banda Aceh at 10:20 a.m.<\/p>\n
A ticket from Medan to Sinabang costs Rp 207,100, and from
\nSinabang to Banda Aceh the price is Rp 222,500.<\/p>\n
The opening of the Banda Aceh-Sabang route has also opened
\nopportunity for travel agents organizing trips to Weh. In
\naddition to the regular ferry service, visitors can also hire
\nmotorboats. Weh Island can be explored in a day.<\/p>\n
Travel agents have envisaged a number of tour packages. One is
\nto go to Sabang aboard SMAC's plane on Tuesday and return to
\nBanda Aceh the following day on the ferry or a chartered boat.
\nThe second possibility is going to Sabang by ferry or boat on
\nSunday and returning to Banda Aceh on Tuesday by plane.<\/p>\n
SMAC officials have expressed their interest in leasing cars
\nin Sabang at affordable prices. \"Maybe about Rp 100,000 a day for
\na Kijang van,\" Saifullah said.<\/p>\n
The flight time to Sabang can be prolonged upon request.
\n\"Although the actual journey is only about 15 minutes, it can be
\nextended if people wish to see the scenery, such as circling Weh
\nIsland,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Banda Aceh-Sabang air journey is the cheapest in
\nIndonesia, probably in the world, and the tourist industry should
\nnot miss this opportunity.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/take-cheap-flight-to-westernmost-weh-island-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}