First China Charters For Manado

Manado will receive charter flights from Guangzhou this month, the first direct charter service from China. Operated by Batavia Air’s 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft, the first flight will touch down on January 23 with 170 passengers, while the second – which has not been filled – will arrive on January 26.   Manado-based Mapanget Mega Wisata Tours and Travel managing director, Reenaldo Wangkar, said: “I have learned that Batavia Air is testing the waters, as they are planning to launch regular services between China and Manado. We do hope that our products suit the market.”   The regional government has been vocal about trying to attract more direct flights from the region, as Manado is only served by SilkAir from Singapore.  At a press conference on the sidelines of ATF, governor of North Sulawesi, Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, said: “We would also like to have better access between Japan and Manado, through the Philippines.”