REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- The board of directors of Korean Airlines Group held talks with the North Sulawesi provincial government, Friday, to explore the possibility of opening direct flights from Seoul to Manado.
"A meeting was held among Korean Air, Jin Air and Hanjin Travel to talk about the plan," Steven Kandouw, North Sulawesi Vice Governor said in Manado.
The plan to open direct flights will cut airfare. Now, any Korean wishing to fly from Seoul to Manado has to transit at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten province, he noted.
He assured the Korean Airline Group that North Sulawesi which has great tourism potential was a secure place.
"I guarantee that unlike other areas, North Sulawesi is safe," he asserted.
To attract Chinese tourists, Olly Dondokambey, North Sulawesi Governor, had encouraged Lion Air to open flight routes from several cities in China to Manado July 2016 onwards.
"Direct flights from China to Manado are running smoothly without any obstacle," he maintained.
The vice governor said he was optimistic that the opening of the direct flights from Seoul to Manado would positively contribute to the local people's welfare.
The provincial government will offer supporting facilities to the local people, including training police officers, children and tour guides in the Korean language, he affirmed.