Regency disburses air travel subsidy

PANIAI, Papua: Paniai regental administration is disbursing a Rp 2 billion (US$222,222) flight subsidy for the public, to encourage more frequent air travel.

The Rp 2 billion subsidy, allocated throughout this year, is aimed at accelerating development in the regency, said Paniai government spokesman Dance Takimay.

The fund is channeled to airline company PT Gita Air, which operates three Twin Otter airplanes between the regency and other cities in Papua province. The subsidy could reduce a ticket price from Rp 600,000 to Rp 200,000, for a flight between Enarotali in Paniai to Timika town in Papua, for example. -- Antara