Air link plan to PNG shelved

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)