Mandala resumes flights to Ambon

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Ambon

As security conditions have been improving, Mandala airline has reopened its route from Jakarta to restive Ambon with four flights a week on a Boeing 737-200 plane.

The airline commerce director Ndan Kamandanu confirmed the decision to reopen the route, citing improving security conditions in Ambon, the capital of Maluku province.

Mandala closed its service to Ambon in 1999 when sectarian clashes and violence crippled the territory. Despite the improvement in security, the government has yet to lift the civil emergency status imposed on Maluku in 2000.

"The economic revival of the province and the improving security situation in Ambon has prompted us to relaunch our flight service to Ambon," Ndan told reporters upon landing at Pattimura Airport in Ambon to mark the first flight from Jakarta- Makassar-Ambon on Oct. 3.

Ndan expressed optimism that the frequency would gradually be increased to daily flights and expects the number of passengers to reach 63 percent of the 100-seater plane.

It was also expected that the flight service would pave the way for the economic and tourism development in Ambon and other areas in eastern Indonesia.

"Ambon is one of the biggest cities in eastern Indonesia and it is also the gateway to other areas. I hope we can be the key to boost the development of the eastern areas in the country," Ndan said.

Meanwhile head of Pattimura Airport Edi Setyanto pledged Ambon's readiness to welcome more flights, adding that the local government had also resumed the airport renovation project.

"The renovation is scheduled to be completed by 2003. We had to delay it because of the prolonged conflict. But this time around, I am optimistic that we will finish the project on time," Edi said.

As a sign of its readiness, the airport administration extended the runway from 1,800 meters to 2,500 meters, Edi added.