JAKARTA - The Associated Mission Aviation (AMA) airline temporarily stopped all flight services in Papua on July 6-13, 2026 following the death of pilot Nicholas Gosselin in a shooting incident allegedly carried out by the Armed Criminal Group (KKB) in Balingga, Lanny Jaya Regency.
President Director of PT AMA Bob Kayadu said the decision was made because the entire management and AMA family were still mourning the incident that killed one of its pilots.
"All activities, including the temporary office, are on vacation, because this is the deepest grief for AMA, which has been operating in Papua for 67 years," said Bob Kayadu, quoted from Antara, Sunday, July 5.
Bob revealed that the attack on the AMA aircraft and crew that occurred on Thursday, July 2, was the darkest event in the history of the airline's operations in Papua. According to him, for decades of operation, AMA aircraft only served humanitarian flights and never transported TNI-Polri personnel or KKB members.
"The attack on the AMA aircraft and crew in Balingga is the deepest sorrow. This is the first time it has happened considering that AMA aircraft have never flown TNI-Polri personnel including KKB," he said.
He emphasized that the loss suffered by AMA this time was not due to a flight accident, but rather an act of violence that took the life of pilot Nicholas Gosselin.
"Hopefully, no more pilots will be shot and their planes will be burned," said Bob.
Nicholas Gosselin's body was flown to Jakarta on Friday, July 3. Furthermore, the United States Embassy will take care of the repatriation process to his home country.
Currently, AMA operates seven fleets consisting of Pilatus Porter and Cessna Caravan aircraft, supported by 16 pilots. The temporary suspension of operations was carried out as a form of respect for the death of Nicholas and also gave the company time to conduct post-incident evaluations.
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