Papua to launch new airline

Papua to launch new airline

Markus Mardius, The Jakarta Post, Timika

Moses Kilangin airport in Timika township in easternmost Papua
province will witness the inauguration of the province's first
airline on Thursday.

Carstensz Papua Airlines (CPA) will fly four 737-200 Boeings
serving the Jakarta-Manado-Biak-Timika and Jakarta-Makassar-
Timika-Merauke-Jayapura routes.

"The airline will become a pioneer in serving passengers in
rural areas. So far, transportation has been a problem for
Papuans and migrant residents as well," Carstensz Papua Airlines
branch manager M. Tomo told The Jakarta Post at his office here
over the weekend.

The airline is a joint venture between the Papuan provincial
government and Aser Madjar, a businessman who hails from Papua.

Not only the Papuan people but also the migrant settlers are
delighted at the prospect, Tomo said, adding that air
transportation would be a boon to people who were used to river
transportation.

"The routes may change depending on the situation and needs,"
said Tomo.

However, he remained coy when asked about ticket prices,
merely saying they would have a competitive edge over those of
Garuda and Merpati.

He added that the airline would be 70 percent staffed by
Papuans.

"More than 150 Papuans have applied for various vacancies in
our company," he said.

Selpianus Dogopia, a Timika resident, said she was delighted
at the prospect of having an airline based in the province.

"I always take a boat to Timika and it takes many days. Now
Carstensz will make our lives a bit easier. We will be able to
reach our hometowns faster," said Selpianus Dogopia, a Timika
resident.

Flying by plane is still something to be proud of for anybody
in Papua, she said, adding that most Papuans were only used to
flying in six-seater planes such as the Cessnas and Tiganas
belonging to Christian missionary groups.