Jakarta. National carrier Garuda Indonesia will add round-trip flights to the future national capital, Nusantara in East Kalimantan, before and during the commemoration of Independence Day in August, its CEO said on Thursday.

The government plans to hold an Independence Day ceremony in Nusantara to mark the beginning of the capital's relocation from Jakarta.

“We are discussing with many parties regarding the planned August 17 ceremony in Nusantara, which will certainly witness massive activities. As the national flag carrier, it’s our duty to help make the event a success,” Irfan Setiaputra said at eL Building in South Jakarta.

The airline has set up a special team to calculate the number of Nusantara flights needed on August 16-17.

Irfan estimated that flight frequency will peak on the night of August 16 and the following morning.

“The president will deliver the State of the Union address on August 16 in Jakarta, and prominent guests will leave the parliament building at 3 p.m. If they plan to attend the ceremony in Nusantara, we have to prepare many more flights after 6 p.m.,” Irfan added.

Currently, regular round-trip flights to Nusantara operate three times a day.

“We’re still discussing the exact number of flights needed during the event, but we have to make sure everyone is transported there. The main issue is about the timing,” Irfan said.

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