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TRANSNUSA is expanding its flight connectivity by opening a new international route. From May 7, 2025, the airline with the code TNU will officially operate flights from Manado to Shanghai. The route will be served by a Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) C909 aircraft.
According to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Shanghai, Berlianto Situngkir, during the inauguration ceremony at Shanghai Pudong International Airport some time ago, as quoted by antaranews on Saturday (05/10), said I hope this direct flight between Manado and Shanghai will open up more opportunities for Chinese tourists to explore the beauty of Sulawesi and for Indonesian tourists to get to know Shanghai.
The inaugural flight of the Manado-Shanghai route departed from Manado’s Sam Ratulangi International Airport on Wednesday (5/7) at 14:25 Indonesian time and arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 20:55 Chinese time on the same day. After the inauguration, the flight will operate four times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
“I am sure that this flight route will not only promote Indonesian tourism, but also contribute to the growth of economic cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries,” Berlianto added.
According to Berlianto, the flight route is also a form of synergy between Indonesia and China in the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation with the Global Maritime Fulcrum, and a strategic step to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which falls this year.
Meanwhile, Li Guohui, executive director and chief operating officer of China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC), said at the same event that Shanghai is one of the important cities in China because it is a flight connection between countries in Southeast Asia and the eastern part of China.
“In addition, Shanghai also plays a strategic role in promoting the growth of economic and trade cooperation and regional connectivity between Southeast Asia and China,” Li Guohui added.
The flight adds to the number of direct flights connecting Shanghai to cities in Indonesia, after Garuda Indonesia and China Eastern Airlines flew from Shanghai to Jakarta, and Juneyao Airlines flew from Shanghai to Denpasar.
TransNusa has also launched a Manado-Guangzhou route in October 2024 using a C909 aircraft. TransNusa itself is a domestic airline that was first established in August 2005 under the name PT TransNusa Aviation Mandiri, headquartered at Eltari Airport, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, serving routes from Kupang and Timor.
At that time, flights were operated using chartered aircraft from Trigana Air Service and Pelita Air. In February 2023, the airline began purchasing aircraft from a Chinese company, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC). Currently, TransNusa also serves other international routes, such as from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur, which opened on April 14, 2023. [sources/photo special]
