Jakarta has greenlighted resumption of Pontianak-Kuching flights, says Sarawak minister
KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said the Indonesian president had given the clearance to resume flights between the suspended Pontianak-Kuching route.
The route was suspended in the middle of March 2020 due to travel restrictions brought about by the Covid‑19 pandemic.
Despite being a temporary move, flights on the route remained stayed suspended even after travel restrictions were lifted as countries adapted to the pandemic.
"They're opening up their skies," Karim told journalists covering the Rainforest World Music Festival at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.
"We've been asking and asking… restart the Pontianak-Kuching flights. But clearance was not given.
"And recently, I was made to understand that they are opening up their skies," he added.
The minister said it's now up to the airlines to start operating the route again.
Karim said the route had much potential and it could be as profitable as the Kuching-Jakarta route.
"The flight frequency from Kuching-Jakarta used to be once a day. Now, it's already twice a day. The (passenger) load is high either way. So, there's big potential there."
The route, he said, therefore does not benefit Sarawak only, but It will also benefit people in Pontianak.
"Instead of driving four to five hours (from Kuching ) to Pontianak, they might as well just fly half an hour. That will definitely benefit the tourism industry in Pontianak."
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