SilkAir may fly to Yogyakarta, Pekanbaru

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Singapore Airlines' (SIA) regional subsidiary SilkAir may open new routes to link Singapore with Yogyakarta and Pekanbaru, in a bid to tap the growing tourist demand, an SIA official said.

SIA Indonesia General Manager Hew Chen Chiet said that SilkAir's current operation in Indonesia was deemed sufficient, however, there was a possibility that SilkAir would open new routes to Yogyakarta and Pekanbaru in the future.

"The two cities have the most potential for SilkAir in the future, and we are looking forward to flying there. Yogyakarta is a tourist city and it will be good for us," said Chiet during a ceremony on Tuesday.

Hew said SilkAir had already applied to the government for a license to open a new route to Yogyakarta, however, there had been no response to its application.

"It all depends on the Indonesian government (for the license). I understand that SilkAir has applied for it... We have been looking forward to the opportunity," he said.

SilkAir previously served Pekanbaru, but it later halted the flight due the "lack of aircraft."

At present, SilkAir flies to seven cities in Indonesia: Medan, Padang, Palembang, Balikpapan, Manado, Surakarta and Lombok.