Susi Pudjiastuti Says Many Susi Air Pilots Scared of Flying to Papua

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Susi Pudjiastuti, founder and owner of Susi Air, claimed many Susi Air pilots are scared of flying to Papua after captain Philips Max Mehrtens was taken hostage by the West Papua National Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization (TPNPB-OPM) until today.

“Lack of confidence among pilots also makes us difficult to have flights to Papua’s mountainous areas,” said Susi in her residence in East Jakarta, Wednesday, March 1. 

Another impact of the incident is that Susi Air has the potential to be abandoned by its pilots if the rescue operation of the New Zealand pilot does not go smoothly. “So the resignation will also be high,” she added.

The former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries hopes that all parties, including the central government, regional governments, community leaders, and the separatist group, realize the importance of Susi Air in supporting community activities in the country’s easternmost province.

Susi Pudjiastuti went on to say that around 70 percent of Susi Air’s Porter aircraft have to stop following the incident. This has surely disrupted people's mobility and logistics delivery in a number of Papuan regions.

A representative for Susi Air, Donal Fariz, said he could not provide specific data on the pilot who resigned after the hostage-taking incident. However, he confirmed that the pilots have doubts and self-confidence issues.

“That doesn't only happen to Susi Air pilots, but also other airlines serving pioneer flights in the Papua area,” said Donal.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA

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