Wings Air's First Flight On Timika-Asmat-Merauke Route

Wings Air plane. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Asmat Regent Elisa Kambu said Wings Air will soon open the Timika-Asmat-Merauke flight route.

"The opening of the Timika-Asmat-Merauke flight route will be marked by the inaugural flight scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2021", said Asmat Regent Elisa Kambu as quoted by Antara, Sunday, August 8.

He explained that Ewer Airport in Asmat Regency, Papua, currently has a runway length of 1.650 meters so that it can accommodate ATR 72 aircraft like those used by Wings Air.

In addition, various supporting infrastructure facilities have also been completed, thus supporting airport operations, which currently only accommodate Twin Otter aircraft or small-bodied aircraft such as Caravans or other small aircraft, said Regent Kambu when contacted from Jayapura.

Head of the Airport Operations Unit (UPBU) Ewer Oto Irianto separately admitted that the budget disbursed through the state budget (APBN) amounted to IDR 103.4 billion, which was used to build terminals, taxiways, apron stages I and II, as well as strip runways for stages I and II.

While the construction of the foundation uses regional budget (APBD) funds. Ewer Airport currently serves five airlines, namely Susi Air, Rimbun Air, Asian One, Smart Aviation, and Airfast.

"On average, two to three flights are served every day to and from Timika", said Oto Irianto, who was contacted by his cell phone from Jayapura.