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