Manado-Davao direct flight launched
Garuda Indonesia recently started direct flights between Manado, Indonesia and Davao. At the ceremony prior to the inaugural flight at the Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, Indonesia, Philippine embassy officials were joined by Vice Governor of North Sulawesi Steven Kandouw, CEO of Garuda Indonesia Airlines Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra, deputy assistant of the Ministry of Tourism Mug Ricky Fauziyani and director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denny Abdi.
Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Leehiong Wee said: “The Manado-Davao direct flight by Garuda Indonesia will bring our two countries ever closer together, providing the impetus to increasing trade, development, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between Indonesia and the Philippines. It has been one of my goals as ambassador to see to fruition the revival of Manado-Davao flights between our two countries, bound together in so many ways and united by common aspirations.”
He added: “It makes perfect sense that the ManadoDavao air route be launched, as it represents the closest geographical points between the two countries. The cost and time savings will undoubtedly promote closer ties and cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines.”
The direct flights complement the recently relaunched maritime sea route powered by Philippine-based Reefer Express Lines for the Mindanao-North Sulawesi shipping route. I share Garuda Indonesia’s belief and optimism that this will be one of many steps that will mark the 70 years of Philippine-Indonesia bilateral relations.”
The Manado-Davao flight is scheduled twice a week, Friday and Monday.