AirAsia opens new gateway to Lake Toba via Silangit
JAKARTA: AirAsia’s new route to Silangit in North Sumatra is more than just a direct flight to the gateway of Lake Toba. It also marks the airline’s commitment to sustainable tourism development there.
Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said AirAsia strives to connect travellers to the hidden treasures of Indonesia while ensuring the sustainability of these destinations.
“Our team has already been to Silangit to work with the local authorities.
“We are building a recycling plant there and we are hoping to work with the local government on sanitation.
“The team will work closely with all stakeholders to preserve the natural beauty of Lake Toba through green initiatives, and we will also embark on community-based programmes to support local communities,” he told a press conference here after launching the low-cost carrier’s new route from Kuala Lumpur to Silangit yesterday.
There will be four flights from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) to the Silangit Airport in Tapanuli every week beginning Oct 28.
Prior to the new route, travellers wishing to visit Lake Toba had to take a six-hour bus ride from Medan.
“We will put more flights on if the demand comes and with the infrastructure built along with it.
“The ultimate aim is to build a hub. It won’t be a big hub, as Jakarta will still be our main hub,” said Fernandes.
The new Kuala Lumpur-Silangit route was launched by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Air Transportation acting director- general Pramintohadi Sukarno, Fernandes, AirAsia Group Bhd executive chairman and AirAsia X Co-Group CEO Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and AirAsia Indonesia CEO Dendy Kurniawan.
Pandjaitan is confident that the new route will boost tourist arrivals in Lake Toba – one of Indonesia’s top 10 priority tourism destinations.
“We are upgrading the facilities at Silangit Airport and extending the runway length from 2,650m to 3,000m.
“We are also expanding the apron and terminal building to accommodate more aircraft and passengers and we hope this new route will benefit the local economy and community.”
AirAsia is offering special introductory allin-fares from Kuala Lumpur to Silangit from RM39.10.
These fares are available for booking on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from Aug 2 to Aug 12 for the travel period from Oct 28 this year to March 29, 2019.