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