More Merpati flights to Ambon

More Merpati flights to Ambon

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines is
increasing its flights to strife-torn Ambon to four flights a
week from three at the moment after the town's port was closed to
passenger ships on Thursday (today), Antara reported on
Wednesday.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said Merpati had agreed to
his request to increase the frequency of its services linking
Ambon with western Indonesia cities.

The port of Ambon has been declared off limits to passenger
ships for one month as of Thursday to prevent provocateurs from
landing in the troubled province.

The ban will affect passenger ships operated by state-owned PT
Pelni, including KM Rinjani, KM Dobonsolo, KM Bukit Siguntang,
KM Lambelu, and KM Tatamailau. It does not apply to cargo ships.

Merpati has yet to confirm when the additional flight will
begin, Antara reported. (10)