Welcoming Air Asia's Landing From Kuala Lumpur, YIA Kulon Progo Airport Is Back Serving International Flights

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, is again serving international flights which were marked by the landing of the AirAsia AK 348 plane that came from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Friday, April evening.

"This is the first regular international flight to be served again since Yogyakarta International Airport or Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) was fully operational to coincide with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Indonesia in 2020", said the President Director of PT Angkasa Pura I, Faik Fahmi, quoted by Antara, Saturday, April 30.

He said AirAsia flight AK 348 landed at YIA carrying 171 passengers, 59 of whom were foreign citizens (WNA) and the rest were Indonesian citizens (WNI). AirAsia AK 348 was greeted with a ceremonial water salute procession from the PT Angkasa Pura I YIA fire fighting vehicle.

After being designated as an entry point based on the Circular Letter of the Ministry of Transportation Number SE 42 of 2022 concerning Instructions for Implementing Foreign Travel by Air Transportation during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic, YIA is the fifth airport under the management of PT Angkasa Pura I to return. serve international flights.

PT Angkasa Pura I as the manager of Yogyakarta International Airport welcomes the operation of international route flights from AirAsia connecting Yogyakarta with Kuala Lumpur.

"We are committed to continuing to ensure that every flight operation and service to all service users runs smoothly and meets applicable security, safety, and service standards. We are optimistic that the opening of this route will be able to slowly increase international route flight traffic at YIA and bring a multiplier effect for economic recovery and tourism industry in Yogyakarta", said Faik Fahmi.

Meanwhile, AirAsia President Director, Veranita Yosephine, said AirAsia KUL-YIA-KUL flights will temporarily operate with a frequency of twice a week, namely on Fridays and Sundays. The AirAsia airline uses an Airbus A320 Neo with a capacity of 186 passengers so today's inaugural flight reached a capacity of 92 percent of the number of passengers (load factor).

"We see this as a positive potential as an effort to recover the aviation, tourism, and economic sectors in going through the pandemic period. We will continue to collaborate with PT Angkasa Pura I to maximize the opportunities we have", she said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the DIY Tourism Office, Singgih Raharjo said on behalf of the DIY government, expressed his gratitude, this is a very good opportunity, with the reopening of international flights through YIA.

"We hope that this will open up accessibility for tourists who will visit Yogyakarta, and of course, it will also open up business and investment opportunities in Yogyakarta. Hopefully, other international flight routes will soon follow", said Singgih.