Merpati Suspends Kupang-Denpasar Route

Kupang (Antara Bali) - Merpati Nusantara Airlines has temporarily suspended its flights to a number of destinations in East Nusa Tenggara province as of Monday due to a low load factor.

"We have been informed that Merpati temporarily suspended its flights as of Monday (Jan. 27) as a result of the low season," Imam Pramono, the head of El Tari airport in Kupang, stated on Monday.

The suspended flight routes included Kupang-Waingapu, Kupang-Tambolaka, Kupang-Alor, Kupang-Bajawa, Kupang-Maumere, Kupang-Ende and Kupang-Denpasar. The Kupang-Denpasar flight route has, in fact, been suspended since January 20.

"We don't know how long the suspension is for," he added.

Normally, the low season in East Nusa Tenggara lasts from the end of January to February, he informed.

A source at the airport suggested that the income from the flight routes could not offset the operating costs of the state-owned airline due, in part, to a drastic fall in the number of passengers.

The operating costs far exceeded the income from the sales of tickets, the source added.

Citing an example, the source explained that in order to fly from Kupang to Maumere, Merpati had to spend around Rp31 million on aviation turbine (avtur) fuel, in addition to the maintenance cost.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Ronny Anthoko, head of state owned oil and gas company Pertamina's marketing branch office in Kupang, stated that Pertamina will continue to serve avtur, demand for which comes from all airline companies including Merpati.

He denied that Pertamina had imposed an embargo on avtur sale to Merpati. (*/DWA)