Ambon (Antara Maluku) - Pioneer flights between Ambon and Wonreli-Kisar, in the regency of Southwest Maluku is now served by Avian Air.
"The route was earlier served by PT. Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA), which has stopped operation for financial difficulty," a Maluku district legislator Melki Frans said here on Tuesday.
MNA has left problem in air transport for local people in that region after the debt ridden state airline stopped operation earlier this year.
Melki said in order to fly from Ambon to the regency of MBD one has to fly to South Sulawesi, East Java , East Nusatenggara before reaching Wonreli-Kisar in southern Maluku.
Therefore, the take over of the route by Avian Air that will serve the Ambon-Kisar route three times a week would be a great relief for local people, he said.
The regional administration subsidized the ticket price of Rp400,000 between Ambon and Kisar.
"However, a passenger has to ask for a reserve a month or two months before departure to ensure seat, therefore more airline would be needed to serve the route," Melki said.
Avian Air uses a small aircraft with a 24 seat capacity.
