Batik Air Indonesia to initiate flights from Pakistan
In a bid to enhance air connectivity between Pakistan and Indonesia, the federal cabinet, through circulation of summary, has granted approval for Indonesian Batik Air Service to commence air operations to Pakistan.
According to sources, the Aviation Ministry has informed the federal cabinet that the Indonesian Directorate General of Civil Aviation has requested for designation of Batik Air Indonesia as an Indonesian designated airline.
In this regard, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has confirmed that Batik Air Indonesia, a subsidiary of the Lion Air Group Indonesia, intends to operate flights to and from Pakistan using Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has further informed that Batik Air Indonesia is a subsidiary of the Lion Air Group Indonesia which is the same group that is now part of Batik Air Malaysia (previously Malindo Airways). This is part of the process of Lion Air to establish full-service air carrier complementing its low-cost operations and is a different venture than establishment of airlines catering to same market segments. Batik Air Indonesia is operated by Lion Air Group and Batik Air Malaysia is being operated through associate partnership with a Malaysian Investment Company that owns majority stake in Batik Air Malaysia.
The shareholding ownership of Batik Air Indonesia along with Executive Management of the airline operator has confirmed as being Indonesian by the airline operator. The airline operator intends on operating to/from Pakistan using B 737 and A 320 aircraft. The airline’s route network is operated in conjunction with cooperative arrangements with Lion Air, a specialized low-cost carrier.
Air Service Agreement
The Air Service Agreement (ASA) between Pakistan and Indonesia was signed on January 14, 1996, which stipulates multiple airline designation. Under Article 3 of the ASA read with preamble, federal cabinet is the competent authority to approve designation of new airlines. PCAA has recommended that the request may be accepted as it is within the terms of the ASA between Pakistan and Indonesia. The Aviation Ministry has supported the recommendation of PCAA.
Sources further informed that Batik Air will initially operate seven weekly flights to Karachi and Lahore, offering travelers increased options and convenience.
07 weekly flights
Batik Air will start 07 weekly flights to Karachi and Lahore, they added. It is pertinent to mention that the introduction of Batik Air’s services is expected to contribute to the growth of tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Indonesia. Batik Air is a member of the Lion Air Group of Indonesia comprising Batik Air Indonesia, Super Air Jet, Lion Air, Wings Air, Biz Jet and Thai Lion Air.
Codeshare agreement with Emirates
History
On November 18, 2011, Lion Air announced its intentions to enter the full service market with the announcement of a premium subsidiary by the name of Space Jet; the airline was to be a full-service subsidiary to compete with the Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, which at the time was the only operating full service carrier (monopoly) serving the Indonesian market.
In June 2012, Batik Air was established, following a rename from Space Jet.The announcement was followed by a commitment by the Lion Air Group for five Boeing 787 Dreamliners to be allocated to Batik, intending to have them delivered by 2015.
The airline began operations on May 3, 2013 using Boeing 737-900ERs leased from Lion Air, and at that point became the country’s third full service carrier after Garuda Indonesia and the short-lived Pacific Royale Airways.Batik Air’s 737-900ERs were equipped with a two-class seating configuration, replacing Lion Air’s two-class 737-900ER service.The new service offered passengers a personal television (in-flight entertainment system) in every seat, light snacks and free meals, and seat pitches of 32 inches (81 cm) in economy class and 45 inches (114 cm) in business class, as well as a free baggage allowances.
In 2014, Lion Air Group cancelled the Boeing 787 deal with Boeing and indefinitely shelved plans for the long-haul expansion of Batik Air, citing the airline’s inclusion in the European Union airline blacklist at the time. In June 2016, the airline was removed from the EU Blacklist, together with its parent Lion Air.
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