Wings Air Launches New Route Connecting Manado and Melonguane
Manado. Wings Air, a subsidiary of Indonesia's largest low-cost carrier Lion Air, launched a new route connecting two cities in North Sulawesi, Manado and Melonguane on Sunday (12/03), as part of the carrier's plan to extend its reach to the outskirts of Indonesia.
The new route, which connects Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, to Melonguane Airport in Talaud Islands, will use an ATR 72-500/600 aircraft that has the capacity to carry up to 70 passengers per flight.
North Sulawesi is an ideal tourist destination offering unique culture and natural scenery, Edward Sirait, the president director of Lion Air, said in a statement on Monday.
"This is also part of our commitment [...] to provide air transportation to the public in a cost efficient and timely manner," Edward said in the statement.
North Sulawesi Transportation Agency head, Joy Orohm, said that even though the carrier will only offer the route once a week, the move is a breakthrough for domestic travel.
The new route will benefit those living in North Sulawesi's northernmost island Miangas, a member of North Sulawesi's Regional House of Representatives, Meiva Lintang said. Miangas is strategically located about 77 kilometers from Davao in the Philippines and the new route will likely propel economic activity due to a surge in tourists and trade, Meiva said.
Additionally, thanks to the new route, Miangas residents will no longer have to rely on a two-week journey by sea to reach Manado.
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