Garuda Begins Serving Medan-Penang Route

Penang, Malaysia (Antara) - Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia began on Saturday serving the Medan (North Sumatra) - Panang (Malaysia) route, and would fly the air corridor twice a day. Garuda's maiden flight departed from Medan Polonia Airport of North Sumatra at 6.05 a.m Indonesian Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) and arrived at Penang International Airport at 7.55 am local time on Saturday. Arriving at Penang airport, Garuda Vice President for Western Region, Suranto who was accompanied by Garuda General Manager for Medan Syamsuddin and Garuda General Manager for Aceh Nano Setiawan, was greeted by Malaysian Vice Minister for Penang Lim Guan Eng and acting head of the Indonesian Consulate General for Penang Soviana Mufidah. The welcoming ceremony was also attended by Garuda Indonesia¿s Vice President for Asia Region Nicodemus Lampe and a number of Malaysian tourism officials. Lim said that he hailed the opening the Garuda flight from Medan to Penang so that the relations between the two countries would further be fostered. He said that the direct flight should not be seen from the business aspect only but also from closer cooperation in the social and cultural sectors of both regions. In the meantime, Sofiana said that the opening of the Garuda flight from Jakarta to Penang vice versa would increase the flow of Indonesian tourists to Penang. The number of Malaysian tourists to Indonesia would also increase. Earlier, Garuda Indonesia's Vice President Surnto said that the Medan - Penang flight have big opportunities so that was expected to increase the frequency of its flight services. (*)