South Sulawesi to have two airlines

South Sulawesi to have two airlines

Makassar, South Sulawesi: South Sulawesi is expected to
operate two airline companies this year in its effort to attract
visitors to the province.

Governor Amin Syam said here on Friday that Celebes Airlines
had started operation on Thursday with a maiden fight of a Boeing
737-200 aircraft from Makassar to Jakarta.

"The airline, with a capacity of more than 100 passengers,
will also serve other routes to Timika and Jayapura in Papua. It
will compete with the state-owned Garuda, Pelita and Merpati
airlines and privately run Airfast and Cartenz airlines," he
said, adding that the provincial administration holds 30 percent
of the company's shares.

Amin said that in addition, Sulawesi Airlines was owned by the
provincial administration and Bugis businessmen would start its
operation this year to serve remote regencies in the province.

"Sulawesi Airlines will operate small-body aircraft to connect
the city with Tana Toraja, Selayar, Mamuju, Malili and Masamba,"
he said.

The airline businesses are expected to spur the tourism
industry in the province," he added. -- JP