MERPATI OPENS KOTABARU-BANJARMASIN FLIGHTS

Kotabaru, Jan 29 (ANTARA) - Merpati Airlines will soon cover the Kotabaru-Banjarmasin route with basis at H Gusti Syamsir Alam airport, Kotabaru, South Kalimantan.

Head of the Kotabaru transportation agency Faturrahman said here Thursday that there are three days in each week during which there is no flights at Stagen airport, because Trigana Airlines flies over the Banjarmasin-Kotabaru and Balikpapan-Berau routes only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

And in the vacant days on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays flights will be conducted by Merpati Airlines also using ATR-42s as operated by Trigana Airlines.

"We hope under such circumstances there will be a competition in service and price, and it is up to the public which is the best for them," he said.
In his recommendation, Fatur has asked the company which will operate Merpati Airlines to fly from Kotabaru to Banjaramsin at 8 am local time, while from Banjarmasin to KOtabaru later at 4 pm, and the rest is up to the airline company in question.

"If the airline company approves of the recommendation, God willing it will have many passengers, because the period of the flights suit office hours," he said.

Touching on the company's wish for facilities from the Kotabaru regency administration, he cannot make any promises, as it first has to be consulted with the regional administration.

"The facilities included parking lots, overnight accommodation for the pilots and crew members, and guaranteed security," he said.