Rusdi Kirana: Lion Air Will Strengthen Markets in South Asia
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18 February 2020 10:14 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Founder of Lion Air Group, Rusdi Kirana, stated that Lion Air will strengthen their market presence in a number of countries in South Asia throughout 2020. According to him, the company plans to open new routes to potential destinations such as Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other surrounding countries.
"We will add more aircrafts that will serve these routes to passengers," Rusdi said when met at the Ministry of Transportation's office on Monday evening, February 17, 2020.
According to Rusdi, the management has made offers and submitted the routes to the country’s respective government. At present, the company continues to consolidate and process the necessary documents.
Rusdi considered for the opening of new routes to be realized in the fourth quarter or the end of this year. Despite having a general comprehension of the route, he has not explained in detail the frequency of flights that the airline will provide for the South Asian destination.
In addition to developing routes to South Asia, Lion Air Group is currently eyeing the market in the City of Istanbul, Turkey. Rusdi is optimistic that the Istanbul market will be lucrative as it has the potential to attract a large number of passengers.
"Because, all this time, (Indonesian) people would go to Istanbul after Umrah," he said.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi previously stated that he would support domestic aircraft operators to open routes to South Asia as Budi had previously acknowledged that the routes will attract a large number of passengers.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)
