Air link plan to PNG shelved

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Papua New Guinea government has postponed its plan to establish an air link between Daru in its Western Province and Merauke in southern Irian Jaya, Antara reported yesterday.

Merauke regent Soekardjo said the plan had been postponed indefinitely because Milne Bell Air, the private Papuan airline company which was expected to fly the route with a Fokker 50 plane, was not yet ready.

The service was originally scheduled to start Aug. 28.

Soekardjo said such an air link would have been a boon for Merauke for it would provide the regency with access to Australia, which would mean opening up export markets for local agriculture produce.

He said that he hoped an Australian airline would consider operating the service. (emb)