Malaysia’s premium airline, Malindo Air, has launched a direct international connection to Silangit International Airport, a gateway to the world’s largest volcanic lake located in Indonesia.

On 17 August 2018, the first direct international flight from Subang Skypark, Malaysia to Silangit, Indonesia touched down at Silangit International Airport. It received a welcome via a waiter cannon salute, with their 72 passengers greeted by a traditional dance performance and receiving traditional scarves as a souvenir.

“The main gateway to Lake Toba”

Chandran Rama Muthy, CEO of Malindo Air, said: “We are very excited to be the first airline that started a direct international connection to Silangit, the main gateway to Lake Toba. With this new connection, we provide easy access and hassle-free travel experience at the city airport. This will encourage new and return travellers to visit Lake Toba, which will promote the tourism development and benefit the local economy as well.

“We will continue to explore more opportunities for direct connections from Subang to Indonesia. The departure from Subang Skypark is more cost-effective, especially with the 15kg baggage allowance that we offer.”

Lake Toba is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. The lake is about 62 miles long and 19 miles wide and up to 500 metres deep. It’s located in the northern part of Sumatra, a site of a massive super-volcanic eruption that occurred about 77,000 years ago.

“One of the world’s natural wonders”

Kelvin Ong, Malaysia country manager for Visit Indonesia, said: “We are pleased to welcome this new airlift from Kuala Lumpur to Lake Toba which will provide an ease for Malaysian travellers in reaching one of the world’s natural wonders. Other than spectacular breathtaking views and picturesque landscape, Lake Toba is also the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world.”

Malindo Air is offering the route four times a week to Silangit from Subang Airport. As only the second destination in Indonesia to be flying out from Subang Airport after Batam, the airline hopes this route will boost tourism and enhance the air connectivity between the two nations.

A promotional fare is available at RM 189 (USD 46) one way and booking can be done online, at ticketing offices and its customer care centre.