Valuair to fly to Jakarta

Valuair to fly to Jakarta

JAKARTA: Indonesia has settled a landing rights dispute with
Singapore's budget airline Valuair, allowing it to begin flights
to Jakarta, an official said Wednesday.

"Indonesia's air regulators have granted landing rights to
Valuair and they should be able to start their flights to Jakarta
very soon," transportation ministry spokesman Swihandoyo said.

Last month the budget airline canceled its maiden flights to
Jakarta without giving a reason. Its passengers had paid S$138
(US$80) for round-trip tickets. Jakarta was its third destination
after Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Valuair, started by former Singapore Airlines managing
director Lim Chin Beng, has beaten a host of rivals to become the
first budget airline to base itself out of Singapore. Malaysia's
AirAsia, the regional market leader, has applied for a license to
set up a base in the city-state.--AFP