Awair extends shutdown

Awair extends shutdown

JAKARTA: A private domestic Indonesian airline has extended
its shutdown for at least three more months after suspending
flights in March due to fierce competition, a spokesman said
Monday.

The management of Airwagon International (Awair) had decided
to extend the suspension by three to six months "to allow a
smooth resumption of services with more aircraft," spokesman
Arifin Hutabarat told AFP.

The company suspended operations in March to pursue
restructuring and had been due to resume them on June 1.

At the time Hutabarat blamed a price war by other airlines.

Awair began operations in 2000 with three leased wide-bodied
aircraft. The spokesman said they were being returned to the
leasing company.

Negotiations were on course with several firms for the lease
of five to six smaller aircraft, he said without elaborating. --
AFP