Another new airline has joined Singapore Changi Airport’s air network today. AirAsia Indonesia’s inaugural flight touched down at 10.15am in Singapore from Pekanbaru, the capital city of the Riau Province in Indonesia. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) gave a warm reception to welcome AirAsia Indonesia’s maiden flight and its important guests onboard, which included AirAsia Indonesia’s Chief Executive Officer, Captain Dharmadi.

CAAS’ Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lim Kim Choon, said, “Last year, some 1.96 million visitor arrivals came from Indonesia, which accounted for nearly 20% of the total visitors to Singapore. Total passenger movements by air between Indonesia and Singapore reached 3.86 million in 2007, registering a 6.5% year-on-year growth over 2006. The launch of AirAsia Indonesia’s new service between the two countries today is well-poised to capitalise on such strong growth.”

AirAsia Indonesia will operate a total of 12 weekly flights to Singapore, comprising 6 weekly flights from Pekanbaru and subsequently 6 weekly flights from Padang by the end of 2008.

With the launch of AirAsia Indonesia’s flights to Singapore, there are 12 airlines operating more than 630 weekly passenger flights between Singapore and 12 cities in Indonesia.

Indonesia AirAsia, which is managed by Air Asia in Indonesia, is the third airline to commence operations in Changi Airport this year, following Air Asia and TNT Airways.

As at 1 August 2008, Changi Airport is served by 80 scheduled airlines, operating over 4,400 weekly scheduled flights to 191 cities in 61 countries.

Celebrating the start of AirAsia Indonesia's operations at Changi Airport From left to right: Captain Dharmadi, Chief Operating Officer of AirAsia Indonesia and Mr Yam Kum Weng, Senior Director (Air Hub Development Group) of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)