INDONESIA: 1.7 million Chinese Visitors Enter Indonesia

Head of Chinese Tourism National Administration (CNTA) Li Jinzao said that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia has risen by a good measure of 20%. In the meantime, he added that the number of Indonesian tourists to China was recorded to rise by 16%.

This reflects good tourism cooperation between the two countries. He said he hopes that the cooperation between Indonesia and China only improves with time.

Earlier, Indonesian Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, said China is currently the biggest source of tourist arrivals in Indonesia; leaving behind Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Korea.

“We have set ourselves the target of attracting 20 million tourists in 2019 and nearly 50% of them will come from China,” he disclosed.

It is important to step up tourism cooperation with China to achieve the desired target.

In this regard, he accentuated how important it is to step up tourism cooperation with China to achieve the desired target. Moreover, he promised that his ministry will also be focusing on promoting the “Great China” branding.

This covers a trio of Asian countries China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Yahya also invited Chinese investors to try their luck with the Indonesian tourism industry.

We invite Chinese investors engaged in the tourism sector to invest in Indonesia which offers natural and cultural attractions. Now is the time to make long-term investments in the tourism sector, he said.

While down 1.9% from the previous month, the figure marks an increase of almost 20% than in the same month of 2015.

It was the second month in a row and the fourth time so far this year that the Chinese-governed in the tourism sector, followed closely by Singaporean and Australian travelers. Most of the Chinese tourists opted for beautiful and very beachy Bali as their destination.

The Tourism Ministry’s deputy minister for overseas promotion, I Gde Pitana, attributed to the rising trend of the holiday season in August in China and the government’s efforts to attract more visitors’ discussion.

He said the ministry would remain focused on its tourism promotion program in China until the end of the year to introduce the archipelago in several major cities, such as Beijing and Shenzhen.

The government aims to attract at least 1.7 million Chinese tourists this year; 1.3 million more than the last year. It has scrapped the visa fees for Chinese travelers, making China one of 169 countries the nationals of which enjoy free entry to Indonesia.

This is not all. For this month, the ministry has geared up for the Chinese Golden Week; a seven-day national holiday period that starts on Oct. 1.

It has established healthy connections with travel agents and tour operators in Bali and China since July to offer tourism packages to places like Bali and Manado, North Sulawesi.

“That way, Chinese companies won’t send their employees to Thailand for the holidays. They can just go to those destinations instead,” Pitana said.

He also mentioned that several airlines were also on board to achieve the 1.7 million tourist target to help this tourism plan further.

The country’s largest low-cost carrier, Lion Air, is serving direct flights from six Chinese cities. The airline hopes to fly at least 30,000 Chinese tourists to Manado by the end of the year. Whereas, Garuda Indonesia has flown holidaymakers from three major Chinese cities to Jakarta. These Chinese cities are namely Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

BPS head Suhariyanto said that the visitors contained in the statistics were all tourists and not workers and that it was not just in one country but others as well; meaning the Chinese were traveling all over the world as tourists.

“The surge is not happening in Indonesia alone, but also in other countries, supported by the tourists’ higher earning per capita as China’s economy grows,” he said.

Hotels have started facilitating the tourists in just the right way

Moreover, the hotels have started facilitating the tourists in just the right way. Jayakarta Hotels and Resorts president director Edwin Dhanu said the chain had prepared several services to accommodate the increasing number of tourists.

“We have prepared a separate, special breakfast called Chinese breakfast in which we provide bread, porridge, and dim sum,” he said that it was different from the full buffet breakfast offered exclusively to Australian tourists.

Jayakarta also employed Mandarin-speaking staff in the guest reservation divisions in Jakarta and Bali who tend to most of the Chinese guests.

The both countries are doing everything to keep growing and keep their tourism industry booming with each other’s help.

INDONESIA: All Garuda Indonesia International Flights To Use Terminal 3 Of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is set to commence full operations at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, in April.

As reported by kompas.com on Monday, the newly built Terminal 3 was currently only serving the airline's domestic flights, while its international flights were still operating from Terminal 2.

State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II director Muhammad Awaluddin said Garuda's international flights would move to Terminal 3 starting April, followed by other SkyTeam member airlines in May.

A target has also been set to move all international airlines to Terminal 3 in August.

After opening last year, Terminal 3 has yet to fully operate, as not all parts of the building have been developed.

Terminal 3 is part of Soekarno-Hatta's revitalization program. The Grand Design Soekarno-Hatta Airport program aims to expand the airport's passenger capacity by opening Terminal 3, as well as revitalizing terminals 1 and 2.

INDONESIA: Pilot Fired For Attempting To Fly A Citilink Plane While Drunk

Indonesian pilot has been fired after he was suspected of trying to fly a plane while he was “drunk”.

It comes as bizarre footage shows Tekad Purnawas, a pilot for Indonesian budget airline Citilink, stumbling through security at Surabaya airport on Wednesday.

In the clip, three security workers can be seen helping the captain pick up his belongings after he goes through the body scanner.

Apparently, the pilot somehow managed to make his way into the cockpit when he made an incoherent flight announcement as he was prepared to fly an Airbus A320 from Surabaya to the capital Jakarta.

One passenger posted a video online of the alleged slurred announcement showing people on board looking confused.

Many passengers decided to leave the plane soon after as they were suspicious that the pilot was drunk.

The pilot was eventually replaced by another captain at the request of passengers who left the plane before takeoff.

The one-hour-20-minute flight eventually departed an hour behind schedule with 154 passengers on board.

Citilink President Director Albert Burhan said in a statement yesterday: “Citilink is very serious about handling this matter.”

The airline, which is a subsidiary of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, confirmed the pilot appeared “physically unfit”.

Earlier this year, two pilots were arrested at Glasgow Airport on ­suspicion of being too drunk to fly.

The pilots were nicked under section 93 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

Jean-Francois Perreault, 39, and Imran Zafar Syed, 37, were charged under the same legislation after allegedly being under the influence of alcohol before they were due to fly from Glasgow to Canada.

The two men had been due to pilot an Air Transat jet with up to 250 people on board.

Garuda Indonesia To Receive 14 A330neo

Garuda Indonesia has confirmed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 14 A330-900neo, the new re-engined version of the best-selling A330 widebody airliner, to support the company’s growth and business expansion in the future.

The deal was signed at a ceremony in London in the presence of the President of Indonesia, His Excellency Joko Widodo and British Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP.

Garuda Indonesia plans to use the A330neo to develop its medium and long haul network, with the aircraft offering cutting edge technology along with more efficient operations. The order replaces and extends an existing order for seven A330-300 aircraft, and the A330neo will be delivered from 2019 onwards.

“We are pleased to announce that we continue our long-standing relationship with Airbus. Both Garuda Indonesia and Airbus fully understand the aim of the deal as a long-term strategy to win the global challenge,” said Arif Wibowo, CEO of Garuda Indonesia.

Arif explained, “The A330neo represents a more-efficient future for Garuda Indonesia. This order restructuring is believed to support our continued commitment to deliver the most modern, comfortable and excellent air travel service to all customers as well as to strengthen the sustained positive growth and business expansion of the company.

“Furthermore, we are confident that this latest technology aircraft will support us to compete better in the industry.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This deal underlines the increasing importance of our ties with Indonesia – a fast growing economy and set to become the seventh largest in the world by 2030.”

“We are the fifth biggest investor in Indonesia and our relationship has more untapped potential. We want to encourage more British businesses to seize on these opportunities and we will continue to support them by banging the drum for British skills and expertise.”

Airbus Chief Operating Officer Tom Williams said: “We are delighted to welcome Garuda Indonesia as a new customer for the A330neo.”

“The A330neo will bring a range of benefits from unbeatable operating economics including significant reductions in fuel consumption, lower maintenance costs and extended range capability. The aircraft will have Airbus’ all new Airspace cabin which will ensure the A330 continues to be a benchmark for passengers and airlines alike.”

The deal is the latest milestone in a long standing partnership dating back more than 30 years, when the airline took delivery of its first Airbus A300.

The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus Widebody Family with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features. Benefitting from the unbeatable economics, versatility and high reliability of the A330, the A330neo reduces fuel consumption by 14% per seat, making it the most cost efficient, long range widebody aircraft on the market.

In addition to greater fuel savings, A330neo operators will also benefit from a range increase of up to 400 nautical miles and all the operational commonality advantages of the Airbus Family.

Garuda Indonesia is already rated a five star airline in terms of comfort and passenger services.

Airbus launched its new Cabin brand “Airspace by Airbus” on 23rd March in London. At the heart of this new philosophy, Airbus connects the well being for passengers with the operational performance for its airline customers. Representing the best of Airbus’ cabin innovation and design, Airspace will offer a sophisticated, flexible canvas as a back-drop to enhance the airlines’ own brands.

INDONESIA: Garuda Launches Direct Services From Denpasar To Guangzhou

The award winning airline of Indonesia, Garuda Indonesia, has launched a new direct scheduled service between its base in Denpasar (the international airport which serves the world class tourist resorts of Bali) to Guangzhou in mainland China.

The new service operates three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from Denpasar at 23:45 and arriving in Guangzhou at 05:00 (local time). The return flights flies from Guangzhou to Denpasar route every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday leaving Guangzhou at 06:15 Local, arriving in Denpasar at 12:00. The route is operated on a modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft capable of carrying 12 passengers in business class and 150 passengers in economy class.

The new service between Denpasar and Guangzhou will connect with domestic flights to regional cities such as Yogyakarta, Ujung Pandang, Manado and Labuan Bajo.

Cities in China served by the growing route network of Garuda include Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, plus Hong Kong from both Jakarta and Denpasar.

Garuda Indonesia holds a prestigious Skytrax's 5-star airline rating as one of the world's 10 best airlines, and has won "The World's Best Cabin Crew" award for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015, plus "The World's Best Economy Class" award in 2013, also from Skytrax. Garuda Indonesia is also a member of SkyTeam.

INDONESIA: Citilink Orders 25 Airbus A320neo

Citilink, the low cost subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 A320neo. The contract, signed in December 2012, represents the first direct purchase by Citilink from Airbus. It follows an order placed in 2011 by Garuda Indonesia for 15 A320ceo and 10 A320neo aircraft for operation by Citilink.

Citilink already operates a fleet of 12 leased A320s on its fast growing domestic network.

“The A320 has played a key role in the recent success of Citilink” said Mr. Arif Wibowo, Chief Executive Officer of Citilink. “The low operating costs, fast turnaround times and strong passenger appeal of the A320 make it perfect for our operation and we are looking forward to the even greater efficiencies that will come with the NEO”

"We are pleased to welcome Citilink as a new customer of Airbus,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “The order underscores the A320 Family’s position as the preferred choice for full service and low cost carriers worldwide, both with the current and new engine options.”

Incorporating new engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, the A320neo Family will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. In addition, the A320neo Family will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

With close to 8,900 aircraft ordered and over 5,300 aircraft delivered to over 380 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.

INDONESIA: Haze Hits Revenue In July-Sept

Indonesia's flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, on Friday reported a $22 million net profit for the July-September period, swinging from a $19 million loss in the year-ago period, helped by lower fuel prices and cost-cutting.

Revenue fell 6% to $1 billion. Haze caused by slash-and-burn land clearing has blanked Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan islands, as well as Singapore and Malaysia, in recent months, forcing airlines in the region to cancel or postpone flights. Garuda canceled at least 449 domestic flights in September due to the haze.

In a text message, Garuda Chief Financial Officer Ari Askhara said the haze has hit passenger growth since July. In the six months through June, passenger volume surged nearly 20%. "The cost is big," Askhara said, adding it is uncertain when passenger numbers will recover. The Indonesian government's steps to control the haze have so far had little success.

Despite the decline in revenue, much cheaper jet fuel, which accounts for about 30% of Garuda's costs, helped lift the airline into the black. Marketing and administrative spending also fell. Garuda has stepped up cost-cutting efforts this year after reporting a $373 million loss in 2014.

The earnings announcement gave a boost to Garuda shares, which rose in line with the broader index. But "the impact of the haze will remain a concern among investors," said an analyst at a local securities house.