REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian flight services should increase their connectivity with various cities in the world, Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said.
Budi, in his written statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, stated that economic relations and tourism are two important aspects that should be paid attention to in international flights.
The statement was related to the opening of the direct Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh City route by Vietnam's Vietjet Air by the end of 2017.
He believes that the new route by Vietjet Air would improve economy and tourism sectors of both countries.
"The flight between Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City would boost international flights. We also seek tourism connectivity as it improves the economic relation between both countries," he stated.
According to him, Indonesia and Vietnam are two of the most-favored tourist destinations in South East Asia.
"I welcome this effort and hope that it could be implemented soon. Hopefully, Vietjets could start flying by mid-Dec this year," he stated.
Budi stated that Vietjet Air's flight permit in Indonesia was also being finalized because Indonesia has its own technical flight requirements that should be met.
"The permit is still in the finalizing process. The first flight is planned for Dec 20 this year. The plan could change if there are mismatches. Vietjet Air is an international aviation service accepted in other countries too. Hence, we have to consider this before giving them room to operate here," he revealed.
There are some routes for which Vietjet Air's stewardesses wear swimwear uniforms, he stated, adding that it must be avoided in Indonesia.
The staff's outfits should be proper and must be acceptable by Indonesians, which is a Muslim-majority country.
"It was confirmed that Vietjet Air's stewardesses would not wear bikini uniforms as Indonesia was a Muslim-majority country. We respect each other¿s opinions. Therefore, I called for the outfits worn by the staffs to be changed, considering the public majority and the number of children who might travel. Vietjet Air has already agreed to that," he explained.
Vietjet Air is planning to open the direct Jakarta-Ho Chi Minh City route, with a three-hour flight time, on Dec 20.
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