Merpati closes Irian route

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: State-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines has decided to temporarily close its flight service between Manokwari and Bintuni, Antara reported.

Luther Woppy, head of the Rendani Airport in Manokwari, said the airline made the decision because of the poor condition of the Bintuni airstrip following an accident in which a Merpati plane crashed shortly after take off.

Luther said that the Bintuni airport cannot be used during the rainy season because its runway becomes covered with mud. During the dry season, light planes of Twin-Otter and Cessna types are still able to land on the runway, he said.

G.A. Ganadhi, the manager of Merpati's office in Manokwari, said the airline will resume its services to Bintuni as soon as the airstrip is repaired.

For the time being, everyone intending to go to Bintuni will be flown to the nearest town of Babo. (emb)