Lion Group Flight Network for Ease of Travel for Community and Support Economic Development

Oct 11, 2024, 18:42 PM by Lion Air Public Relations

Connecting Large City to District, Lion Group Flight Network Improves Accessibility and Community Connectivity and Cargo.

J A K A R T A, October 10, 2024- Lion Group continues to strengthen its role in facilitating ease of air transportation access in Indonesia by providing a network of flights connecting major cities to sub-district areas. Through airline affiliates, Lion Group is committed to expanding its flight coverage to reach various regions in Indonesia, both major economic centers and remote regions. The move aims to increase accessibility and support economic growth across Indonesia, especially areas that were previously difficult to reach.

For example, flights from Jakarta to Waingapu on Sumba Island can now be done more easily and efficiently. Lion Group provides Jakarta - Kupang route through Batik Air, which is then continued by Wings Air flight from Kupang to Waingapu. This connectivity not only facilitates inter-regional travel, but also plays an important role in supporting local economic development, tourism and community mobility in developing areas.

Lion Group Flight Network Expansion

Lion Group's flight service, which includes more than 1,000 flights daily, shows the company's commitment to expand accessibility to various regions in Indonesia, both major cities and sub-district-level areas. With services reaching this vast area, Lion Group plays a key role in supporting economic, social and cultural integration in archipelago countries such as Indonesia. This expansion not only provides ease for passengers, but also contributes to accelerating economic growth in areas previously difficult to reach.

For example, Lion Group via Batik Air serves direct flights from Jakarta to major cities such as Medan, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Bali and Makassar, while Wings Air serves more specific routes such as Kupang - Waingapu, Balikpapan - West Kutai, Medan - Meulaboh which connects major cities with small and remote areas. Using a modern fleet and offering high flight frequency, Lion Group ensures that passengers can enjoy comfortable, fast and safe travel. The expansion also enables more business, tourists and local communities to access emerging regions, which in turn encourages increased economic mobility and expand opportunities for sectors such as tourism and trade.

Improved Accessibility and Benefits for Society

The Lion Group's flight network has a significant impact on the community, both in the context of personal and professional travel. With connectivity covering various regions in Indonesia, people can now achieve destinations that were previously difficult to reach faster and efficiently. This allows individuals to run business, educational and tour activities with better mobility.

For example, entrepreneurs or communities in Ewer Asmat engaged in traditional handicrafts can easily deliver products to Jakarta or other major cities via Wings Air flight from Ewer to Timika. From Timika, they can continue their journey with Lion Air to Makassar, which is directly connected to Jakarta. Previously, the distribution of products from remote areas such as Asmat to national markets took a long time and high cost, especially if it had to rely on sea or land lines. However, with this flight route, delivery time and operational costs can be significantly reduced, thus helping UMKM in Asmat to be more competitive in the national market.

In addition to the benefits of business sector, students from Asmat who want to continue their education to Makassar or Jakarta can now travel more easily, without facing transportation limitations that used to be a major barrier. Travelers who want to visit the natural beauty of Papua, such as Lorentz National Park or the unique culture of the Asmat tribe, also benefit from this ease of access, which helps to encourage local tourism development and increase regional income.

Tourism Support and Business Sector

Lion Group plays a strategic role in supporting the development of the tourism sector and local businesses through increasing accessibility to various tourist destinations in Indonesia. By connecting areas rich in tourist potential, such as Raja Ampat, Labuan Bajo, and Lombok, the Lion Group flight network not only makes it easier for tourists to reach these locations, but also promotes local tourism. This connectivity provides great opportunities for tourist destinations to thrive, attract more visitors, and in turn drives the local economy through the hospitality, transport, culinary and other creative industries.

A real example of this impact is the increase in the number of visits to Labuan Bajo, which is now more accessible via direct flights from Jakarta or Surabaya using Batik Air or Lion Air. This contributed to the growth of the local economy, with the increasing number of accommodations, restaurants and tour service providers. In addition, the business sector, both local and national, also benefited by the presence of more efficient flight routes. Businesses can now quickly travel between major cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, or reach areas with industrial potential, such as Batam and Makassar, known as trade and manufacturing centers. Regularly scheduled aviation availability allows business activities to run smootherly, improve operational efficiency, and support broader economic growth.

Local Economic Development through Air Connectivity

The air connectivity provided by Lion Group also has a positive impact on economic development in areas such as Namlea, located on Buru Island, Maluku. UKM in Namlea now have easier access to larger markets in major cities such as Ambon, Makassar, to Jakarta, thanks to interconnected flight routes. This line not only supports local product distribution but also improves efficiency and expands business reach.

For example, local businessmen in Namlea who produce marine produce or agricultural commodities can take advantage of Wings Air flights from Namlea to Ambon, which are then connected to Lion Air flights from Ambon to Makassar and Jakarta. With this network, products previously only locally marketed can now be delivered more quickly and efficiently to major trading centers. This allows products such as fresh fish, cloves and other plantation products from Namlea to be sold in major markets in Jakarta, increasing revenue for UKM and creating new jobs. This connectivity also reduces dependence on longer-consuming sea lines, thus accelerating local economic growth and opening up opportunities for UKM in Namlea to compete in national markets.

Connectivity Ibu Kota Nusantara

Development of the capital of Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan encourages the need for better air connectivity to support mobility of residents, businesses and tourism. Lion Group, through its connecting flight routes with Balikpapan as the main hub, plays an important role in ensuring easy and efficient access to IKN from various regions of Indonesia. Lion Group Flight connects IKN through Balikpapan with major cities such as Medan Kualanamu, Batam, Jakarta, Kertajati, Surabaya, to Bali and cities in the eastern part of Indonesia, creating a network that facilitates business, government and tourism travel.

For example, an investor from Medan who wants to review the project at IKN can fly directly from Medan to Balikpapan with Lion Air, then proceeds on land to IKN location. Before this good connectivity, cross-island travel takes longer and often has to transit in some cities. Now, with efficient direct flights, business people can easily reach IKN, open investment opportunities and accelerate the development of infrastructure projects.

This connectivity is also beneficial for governments and local citizens involved in the construction of IKN. For example, government employees from Jakarta can easily fly to Balikpapan, which is directly connected to the capital, and conduct inspections or meetings related to development. Similarly, communities from other cities such as Surabaya, Makassar, and Manado who want to see job opportunities in IKN can take advantage of this connected Lion Group flight network. In addition, this wide connectivity supports the distribution of goods and services from various regions to IKN, accelerates the delivery of construction materials and supports economic development in the surrounding area.

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