KUCHING: The introduction of a new direct flight route between Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kuching, Sarawak, is highly anticipated and expected to bring significant benefits to the business community and leisure travellers.
Indonesia-Malaysia Business Council (IMBC) international affairs director Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian said in addition to facilitating passenger travel, the route would create ample opportunities for manufacturers and exporters from both countries through the comprehensive cargo and logistics services provided by Teleport by AirAsia.
“The IMBC welcomes this development and commends AirAsia for its efforts to enhance connectivity within Asean, particularly between Malaysia and Indonesia.
“This route serves as a unifying force for the people of both nations, who share many similarities. It also establishes crucial commercial and trade links between two of the region’s largest economies,” he said in a statement recently.
He added that the new route would facilitate better wealth sharing among the people, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on both sides of the border.
“Much has changed since the pandemic, including in ways people do their business, the shopping appetite and the industries involved, with both nations pushing forward towards a digital economy.
“Apart from facilitating business travel for corporate leaders and officials, the Jakarta-Kuching route is also a boom for small traders and will directly benefit the local industries.”
Jaziri further highlighted that the new route presented an excellent opportunity for Malaysia and Indonesia to strengthen their social and economic relationships.
“It also prepares the two regions for the establishment of Indonesia’s new administrative capital, Nusantara. Moreover, Malaysia has much to offer its Indonesian neighbours, including eco-tourism, cultural experiences, gastronomy, and more.”