State-owned carrier PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Merpati) is launching flight service between emerging tourist hot spot Lombok and exotic Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara.

Merpati vice president for corporate communications Herry Saptanto said that the airline would a MA-60 aircraft on the route.

“We’re opening this route to provide flight service for the people from both regions as well as to help improve the tourism sector in our country,” Herry said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.

“Merpati is fully committed not only to bridging the archipelago but also to helping to grow tourism in remote areas.”

The airline will fly from Lombok to Sumbawa on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Merpati also announced that it has extended its eight-year joint operation scheme (KSO) with the administration of Merauke, Papua, to serve the regency with a Twin Otter aircraft until 2014.

“The air transportation sector has opened Merauke from isolation and helped it grow its economy,” he said.

Merpati and the regency signed an additional KSO agreement for three Boeing 737-300s in 2006. (swd).

The Jakarta Post

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