More direct flight from India to Indonesia soon

Jakarta : Indonesia's Deputy Minister for Tourism, Nia Niscaya said that there will be more direct flights from India to Indonesia from October in order to increase tourism.

Speaking to a news agency ANI, she acknowledged that improving connectivity will give tourism a boost.

"Highest growth in tourist numbers is from China, second from India. This year, the target we are given is a challenge due to the lack of connectivity. In October this year, a flight from Delhi to Bali via Chennai will be operational. This will help tourism flourish. While we wait for this to happen, we are using Singapore as a hub. We are giving out deals (on flights) to encourage people coming to Singapore to extend their stay to Indonesia. Many Indians come to Singapore, and we want to tap this."

She also added that the emphasis is on giving a better connectivity however, an expansion in destinations will be done in future. 

Echoing similar sentiments, India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, said talks are being held between civil aviation authorities in both countries regarding a boost to direct connectivity.

"We are close in our hearts, we now need to become close in mind also to make our relations more concrete," he added.