"This direct flight route linking Jakarta to Nias is a joy for all of us because we all have worked together to make it come true," Assistant Deputy for Sports and Maritime Culture at the Maritime Coordinating Ministry, Kosmas Harefa, said in a statement received by ANTARA here.
Kosmas added that the government and several heads of administrations in Nias submitted proposal on Jakarta-Nias Direct Flight to several airlines.
"This direct flight route can be realized also thanks to the support of Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly. We are very grateful," he said.
Taking part in the first direct flight was a number of heads of administrations throughout Nias Islands, as well as Kosmas Harefa and Yasonna Laoly, who originally come from Nias.
Meanwhile, Yasona said the direct flight route of Jakarta-Nias round trip is expected to increase local economic growth and facilitate people in conducting activities.
According to Yasona, his participation in the effort to open the Jakarta-Nias direct flight was a moral call as a native of Nias.
"This is a call of my conscience as a native Nias. I want to help advance my native land. I have a moral responsibility. With my current position and responsibility, I want to contribute in realizing this plan," he said.
The Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)-Nias (Binaka Gunung Sitoli Airport) flights are available three times a week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The flight route from Jakarta to Nias will depart at 07.35 and will arrive at Binaka Gunung Sitoli at 09.55.
In the meantime, the Nias-Jakarta route will stop in Padang (West Sumatra).
Flight from Nias to Padang will depart at 10:50 and arrive in Padang at 12.00, and depart for Jakarta at 12.50 and arrive in Jakarta at 15.00.
There is no time difference between Jakarta and Nias.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman
Editing by Libertina, Suharto
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
