Cilacap may open to charter flights

CILACAP, Central Java: Tunggul Wulung Airport here may be reopened on a chartered basis in the coming months pending negotiations with PT Pelita Air Service (PT PAS).

Cilacap regent Herry Tabri said Pelita had shown interest in serving a Cilacap-Jakarta route utilizing the airport, which has been shut down since April after Merpati Nusantara Airlines stopped flights here.

He said Pelita had offered Rp 6.72 million for each day it used the airport. The company plans to serve the route three times a week using a Cassa 212/200 plane with a capacity of 18 passengers.

"In principle, I agree with what PT PAS has proposed as long as the type of plane used is not that one because its passenger capacity is too small," Herry said, adding that he would prefer Pelita use an airplane that could carry about 38 passengers. (45)