Manado-Melonguane is Getting More Dense, the Frequency of the Pilot Flight is Officially Increased This Year

Illustration. (Photo: Dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) through the Directorate General of Air Transportation officially opened the first flight of the pilot air transportation subsidy for the Gorontalo Regional Coordinator (Korwil) for the 2026 Fiscal Year.

This service is run by PT Asi Pudjiastuti Aviation or Susi Air with a Cessna Grand Caravan C208B aircraft with a capacity of 12 passengers.

This year's pioneering flight network connects three provinces, namely North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and Gorontalo, through routes operated six days a week. Routes include Manado-Siau-Naha, Manado-Melonguane-Miangas, Manado-Bolaang-Gorontalo, to Gorontalo-Luwuk-Banggai Laut with a round-trip format.

Head of the Manado Regional Airport Authority Office VIII, Ambar Suryoko, said the pioneering flight was a manifestation of the state's presence in ensuring inter-regional connectivity, especially in underdeveloped, remote, outermost, and border areas (3TP).

"The pioneering flight plays an important role in supporting community mobility in the 3TP area, travel time can be shortened and become an alternative mode of choice for the community to be able to carry out activities outside the area, which ultimately becomes a driver of improving public services, and the economy," said Ambar in an official statement, Tuesday, January 13.

From the results of the 2025 evaluation, several routes showed a surge in demand, especially the Manado-Melonguane corridor. On this route, the frequency is applied to increase from two to three times a week.

Ambar said the addition was not only a response to community needs, but also to strengthen inter-regional connectivity in North Sulawesi.

In addition to ticket subsidies, the government also provides fuel cost support through avtur subsidies. A total of 540 drums of avtur were placed at Naha Airport and Melonguane Airport to ensure that airline operating costs remain stable, especially at airports that do not have Aircraft Refueling Depots (DPPU).

The Ministry of Transportation said that evaluations and supervision would be carried out throughout the year for the pilot implementation, ranging from safety aspects, operational compliance, to service quality.

"We will continue to coordinate with the airline operators to ensure that all aspects of safety, operations, and services are in accordance with the provisions," he said.

The following is the schedule of the pioneer flight routes served:

1. Monday: Manado - Siau - Naha (PP) and Manado - Melonguane - Miangas (PP);

2. Tuesday: Manado - Bolaang - Gorontalo, Gorontalo - Luwuk - Banggai Laut (PP), and Gorontalo - Bolaang - Manado;

3. Wednesday: Manado - Siau - Naha (PP) and Manado - Melonguane - Miangas (PP);

4. Thursday: Manado - Bolaang - Gorontalo, Gorontalo - Pohuwato (PP), and Gorontalo - Luwuk - Banggai Laut (PP);

5. Friday: Gorontalo - Luwuk - Banggai Laut (PP) and Gorontalo - Bolaang (PP);

6. Saturday: Manado - Melonguane (PP).