On April 25th, Jetstar Asia restarted service from Singapore to Surabaya, a vital route for both pleasure and business travel. Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city after Jakarta, is one of the region's most vital trading hubs.
After the pandemic halted international travel, Juanda International Airport reopened for international flights in December. It will also be a watershed moment in Jetstar Asia's recovery from COVID-19-related economic losses, curtailed flights, and decreased workforce numbers.
The Indonesian government has reinstated visa-free travel for ASEAN travellers, and visitors from 43 additional countries can obtain a visa on arrival. In addition, the pre-departure PCR test for Singapore has been abolished.
Customer trust is gradually returning, and local and international travel demand is expanding. It is likely to be a busy week leading up to the Hari Raya Puasa holiday on May 3rd and Vesak Day on May 15th, when friends and relatives gather to reconcile and rejoice.
Mr Sisyani Jafar, the General Manager of PT Pingkasa Pura I in Surabaya said, "We warmly welcome Jetstar Asia’s inaugural service and return to operations in Surabaya. We are pleased that travellers will once again be able to enjoy the Surabaya route.”
Just before the holidays, Jetstar Asia wants to increase flight frequency to other significant Indonesian airports. Depending to regulatory approval, Denpasar flights will expand to five per week and Jakarta flights to fourteen per week.
From June, the number of flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will grow to 21 per week.