Indon int’l focus in 2008

THE various commands will help to strengthen Indonesia’s weak presence on international markets. The fact that Indonesian carriers carry less than 26 percent of all passengers on international routes explains the restrictive position of the Indonesian government to foreign carriers.In 2005, the government clipped the wings of international LCCs by banning them from the four major airports of Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), Surabaya and Medan. Foreign LCCs landings are also forbidden in Yogyakarta and Semarang. The Minister of Transport Hatta Rajasa regrets in fact that all foreign carriers make full advantages of air traffic rights from bilateral agreements.Next year should see some positive changes. Lion Air recently announced its intention to serve Kuala Lumpur and Singapore from 10 regional airports from next year. Adam Air is looking to start flights to Hong Kong and China by early 2008. Garuda still plans to restart the Nagoya route, to fly to India and go back to Europe by next year (most probably to Amsterdam).Among foreign carriers, the biggest event of the year was the arrival of Qatar Airways to Bali. It seems that the airline is also carefully looking at flying to Surabay in the near future. Among the good news, Qantas low fare subsidiary, Jetstar, launched flights from Australia to Bali. Jetstar flies also from Singapore to Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya. Another low cost carrier, Viva Macau, pioneered last year the first air route between Jakarta and Macau.