New Irian flight route introduced

New Irian flight route introduced

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Privately owned airline company PT Trigana Air Service has opened a new route linking Jayapura, Wamena and Mulia in the country's easternmost province, with the aim of helping the local administration open up isolated areas.

Puncak Jaya Regent Elieser Renmaur told Antara that PT Trigana was scheduled to serve the new route twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using Twin Otter airplanes.

He explained that a one-way ticket for the 70-minute flight between Jayapura and Mulia would cost Rp 800,000 (US$88.80).

Before the introduction of the new service, businessmen and government officials intending to fly from Jayapura to Mulia had to charter airplanes operated by private airline companies or by missionary organizations, the regent said.

"The lack of a flight service has also caused the price of basic commodities to jump, especially in villages in Mulia, the capital of the Puncak Jaya district," he said.