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Subject: Timor-Leste Local Media Monitoring April 29, 2004
Timor-Leste International and Local Media Monitoring April 29, 2004 The Jakarta Post Merpati to cooperate with Airnorth on Kupang-Darwin route Merpati airline will resume flying the Kupang-Darwin route in cooperation with an Australian regional airline, the state-owned airline announced on Wednesday. "The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Merpati and Airnorth will be signed on Thursday in Kupang. The cooperation will take the form of joint service and profit sharing," Merpati spokeswoman Yanine Helga Warokka said in a media statement made available to The Jakarta Post. "The MOU will be signed by Merpati's executive vice president, Toto Nursatyo, and Airnorth chief executive officer Michael Bridge." Merpati stopped flying the route, which was established in the 1970s, in 2000 due to its inability to meet stringent aviation regulations set by Australia. The joint service cooperation means that Merpati, as the traffic rights owner, will be responsible for baggage, cargo, passengers and ground handling in Kupang, while Airnorth will take responsibility in Darwin. Airnorth will also provide air crew and in-flight services. Airnorth's fleet consists of Brazilian-made, 30-seat Embraer EMB120 using twin turboprop engines. Ticketing will be handled jointly by the two airlines, with equal profit sharing. Flights will resume on June 15 and will be offered Tuesdays and Saturdays. Airfare has been set at US$130 per passenger. Timor Post Parliament gives full support to PNTL The Vice-President of the National Parliament, Jacob Fernandes, said that the National Parliament gives full support to the National Police Force (PNTL) for stopping Cornelio Gama (known as L-7) for using a government car without proper documentation. He said that there?s no one in Timor-Leste above the law. No relevant stories in today edition of STL Jose Filipe External Affairs World Bank, Dili Office Ph: 723 0554 Tel: 332 4649 Email: ffilipe@worldbank.org Support ETAN, make a secure financial contribution at etan.org/etan/donate.htm Back to April menu |