Papua to launch new airline<\/p>\n
Markus Mardius, The Jakarta Post, Timika<\/p>\n
Moses Kilangin airport in Timika township in easternmost Papua
\nprovince will witness the inauguration of the province's first
\nairline on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Carstensz Papua Airlines (CPA) will fly four 737-200 Boeings
\nserving the Jakarta-Manado-Biak-Timika and Jakarta-Makassar-
\nTimika-Merauke-Jayapura routes.<\/p>\n
\"The airline will become a pioneer in serving passengers in
\nrural areas. So far, transportation has been a problem for
\nPapuans and migrant residents as well,\" Carstensz Papua Airlines
\nbranch manager M. Tomo told The Jakarta Post at his office here
\nover the weekend.<\/p>\n
The airline is a joint venture between the Papuan provincial
\ngovernment and Aser Madjar, a businessman who hails from Papua.<\/p>\n
Not only the Papuan people but also the migrant settlers are
\ndelighted at the prospect, Tomo said, adding that air
\ntransportation would be a boon to people who were used to river
\ntransportation.<\/p>\n
\"The routes may change depending on the situation and needs,\"
\nsaid Tomo.<\/p>\n
However, he remained coy when asked about ticket prices,
\nmerely saying they would have a competitive edge over those of
\nGaruda and Merpati.<\/p>\n
He added that the airline would be 70 percent staffed by
\nPapuans.<\/p>\n
\"More than 150 Papuans have applied for various vacancies in
\nour company,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Selpianus Dogopia, a Timika resident, said she was delighted
\nat the prospect of having an airline based in the province.<\/p>\n
\"I always take a boat to Timika and it takes many days. Now
\nCarstensz will make our lives a bit easier. We will be able to
\nreach our hometowns faster,\" said Selpianus Dogopia, a Timika
\nresident.<\/p>\n
Flying by plane is still something to be proud of for anybody
\nin Papua, she said, adding that most Papuans were only used to
\nflying in six-seater planes such as the Cessnas and Tiganas
\nbelonging to Christian missionary groups.<\/p>",
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