Garuda Indonesia Reopens Timika-Denpasar Flight Route

Timika (ANTARA) - Garuda Indonesia airline has reopened the Timika-Denpasar, Bali flight route using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, serviced four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The general manager of PT Garuda Indonesia’s Timika Branch Office, Kharisma Pujangga, stated during the inaugural flight opening at Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika on Sunday that the route had operated several years ago before being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are reoperating the direct route from Timika to Denpasar, Bali, with flight codes GA 652 and 653. The relaunch of this route is dedicated to improving connectivity in Central Papua and Papua regions, especially Mimika Regency, to facilitate tourism and business travel and meet customer demands for faster and more efficient services,” said Kharisma. The head of the Public Service Agency for Airport Organiser Unit (BLU-UPBU) at Mozes Kilangin Timika, Muchammad Nafiek, described the reopening of the Timika-Denpasar flight route as a long-awaited development for local residents. He noted that it was made possible with full support from the Mimika Regency government. “Thank you for the ongoing support from the Mimika Regional Government. Timika Airport is already suitable as a hub airport in the eastern region due to its strategic position. Most of the facilities at Timika Airport have been supported by the regional government,” said Nafiek. The Mozes Kilangin Timika UPBU supports the relaunch of Garuda Indonesia flights from Timika to Denpasar, Bali, to add route variety, as flights from Timika to Jakarta have mostly gone via Makassar in South Sulawesi. Nafiek hopes that Garuda Indonesia can serve the Timika-Denpasar route daily in the future. Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob also appreciated Garuda Indonesia’s management decision to reoperate the Timika-Denpasar route, which had been closed for five years since the COVID-19 pandemic. John Rettob said he had received many inquiries from air travel users, especially from leaders and employees of PT Freeport Indonesia and various subcontractor companies, regarding the route’s relaunch. The regent also hopes that Garuda Indonesia will consistently continue operating the Timika-Denpasar flight route, especially as it is considered a “golden route.” Furthermore, the Mimika Regent hopes that the reopening of the Timika-Denpasar flight route can provide added economic value for the local community and business actors.