Airlines are urged to open new routes between Sarawak and the Nusantara

KUCHING: Airlines are being urged to open new flight routes between major cities in Sarawak and Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan.

Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Sarawak, Raden Sigit Witjaksono, said the new flight route is seen to be able to open up great economic opportunities between Sarawak and Indonesia.

He said that currently, the route from Sarawak to Nusantara is only through land, which takes quite a long time.

“Previously, there was a direct flight from Kuching to Pontianak but now it has been temporarily stopped, we hope that there will be a direct flight from Kuching to Balikpapan (the closest airport to Nusantara).

“We received many requests and even some from the city of Miri asked for a flight to Balikpapan. This can improve access and connectivity between Sarawak and Indonesia,” he said.

He said this to reporters after attending the Indonesian Independence Celebration at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia here today.