Batik Air launches flights to Penang

Penang Island – May 30th 2019. Batik Air (Flight Code ID) member of Lion Air Group has begun the first flight of the Soekarno-Hatta route, Tangerang to Penang, Malaysia on Wednesday, as a form of international network development.

The formal ceremony of the inaugural flight at Soekarno-Hatta was carried out by the Senior Manager of Angkasa Pura II, Erwin Revianto, Director of Safety for Batik Air, Capt. Wamildan Tsani, Batik Air Technical Director, Yanto Supriatno and Batik Air Flight Crew Manager, Capt. Arif Purnawanto;

Batik Air operates Boeing 737-800NG capacity of 12 business class seats and 150 economy class seats. Aircraft have inflight entertainment as flight features (audio video on demand) at each seat. The aircraft is considered capable of providing the best trips to the travelers by category premium service airlines.

Batik Air started the flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang (CGK) numbered ID-7161. The aircraft took off at 07.00 West Indonesia Time (GMT + 07) and landed smoothly at Penang International Airport at 10:15 local time (Malaysia Time, GMT + 08). For return flights, Batik Air departs from Penang at 11:00 local time ID-7160 number and arrives at 12:15 WIB at Soekarno-Hatta.

Batik Air was warmly welcomed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malaysia Airports Holding Berhard, Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin; Chief Executive Officer of Penang Global Tourism, Chok Yan, and Malindo Air Government Relations Director, Raja Saidi.

Penang becomes part of international destinations after Singapore; Chennai, India; Perth, Australia and Guilin and Kunming in China. Until now, Batik Air has added more than 46 domestic and foreign destinations with a flight frequency of more than 350 per day.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Batik Air, Capt. Luthfie Achmad said, "Today Batik Air re-expand by doing inaugural flight to one of the favorite cities in Malaysia, namely Penang. This destination further strengthens the international destination city of Batik Air. In an effort to provide the best service, we have a frequency of flying once every day on a regular basis. We expect tourists and business people to travel more easily in the Asia region."

"On behalf of management, we are very proud to introduce Penang to Batik Air's new destination. The smooth running of the inauguration program that is run successfully is a form of seriousness of all employees and crew, based on enthusiasm and commitment to move forward. Therefore, Batik Air expresses its highest appreciation and thanks for the support and cooperation of regulators, airport managers, air traffic controllers, and all those who have prepared properly and well," said Capt. Luthfie.

This latest service is considered to be able to realize the dream of millennial and business travelers to amazing place in the current era (millennials traveling) for every guest in the premium services class with the concept of pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad, Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin says "new route Flights Batik Air will benefit both countries well. We are pleased to see Penang International Airport can attract one more airline to strengthen regional connectivity. Our aim is to create greater value for Malaysia operating from airports other than Kuala Lumpur (KLIA). From January to April 2019, Penang International Airport recorded 1.2 million international passenger traffic movements, a 10.4% growth compared to the same period last year. Batik Air is the third airline that offers Jakarta - Penang routes. This will provide more choices for business travelers and tourists, but also medical tourists that Penang is known as a center for medical tourism."

The Soekarno-Hatta route to Penang is expected to be able to support government programs in increasing foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia, helping to encourage economic growth, increasing interstate business movements and increasingly enriching travelers to obtain advanced flight options.

Tourists or business people from various cities in Indonesia can stop first at Soekarno-Hatta, then continue the flight to Penang. Likewise, travelers from Penang and around who have plans to explore more widely the cities served by Batik Air are easier. Batik Air presents a travel connection through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The ease of connected connectivity from Penang to Indonesia includes to Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Batam, Jambi, Palembang, Lubuk Linggau, Tanjung Pandan, Lampung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Lombok, Kupang, Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Kendari, Palu, Manado, Gorontalo, Ambon, Ternate, Sorong, Manokwari, Jayapura, Merauke.

At present, Batik Air records an average OTP of 92.63% with the strength of the operated fleet comprising 43 Airbus 320-200CEO (12 business classes and 144 economy classes), six (6) Boeing 737-900ERs (12 business classes and 168 economy classes) and eight (8) Boeing 737-800NG (12 business classes and 150 economy classes).