Garuda Indonesia has relaunched daily flights between Singapore and Medan 14 years after the route was cancelled.
Indonesi'as national airlines said the decision was taken based on the airline's expansion plan and also to boost their tourist traffic to Medan's Lake Toba. The decision was also made to celebrate Garuda's 50th anniversary in Singapore.
Arif Wibowo, the CEO and President of Garuda Indonesia, told AFP: "We believe this new service will stimulate the growth of business and trade in the region".
He also said that while passengers are travelling between Singapore and cities such as Palembang, Banda Aceh, Sabang, Lheuksmawe, Gunung Sitoli and Pinangsori, the flight will offer them greater flexibility and convenience.
In 2002, Garuda cancelled its Medan-Singapore service due to low public interest as reported by Indonesian media. The airlines launched the service only one year before they stopped it.
The Garuda flight will depart every day from Singapore Changi Airport at 11.15 am (local time) and will arrive at Kualanamu International Airport at 11.45 am (local time). On its return, it will depart at 1.30 pm from Medan and arrive at 4pm (local time) in Singapore.
