Batik Air launches in Indonesia
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Lion Air, Indonesia’s largest low cost carrier, has launched Batik Air, a service to cater for the “growing demands of middle to upper class” customers.
The airline will fly between Indonesia’s main hubs including Jakarta, Ambon and Balikpapan. The first service will run from Jakarta to Manado on a twice-daily basis on 3 May.
According to the line’s Facebook page, the company is designed “to accommodate the growing demands of middle to upper class passengers whom favour premium services.” The move sees Batik position itself away from the budget airlines, focusing more on a business clientele.
The airline will have a fleet of six Boeing 737-900ERs seating 180 passengers, 12 of which will be business class.
Batik’s president told the Jakarta Post that “We are going to fly between Jakarta and Manado [North Sulawesi] during the first flight and later on we will fly the route twice a day,
“Our second aircraft will arrive on 4 May and connect Jakarta and Pekanbaru and the third on 8 May,” he added.
The paper also reported that Batik had obtained permits from the Transportation Ministry to fly 66 domestic and 20 international routes.