Routes of Merpati Favored by Other Airlines

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Flight Analyst Dudi Sudibyo said if PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines is actually shutting down and leaving a number of high passenger count routes, then the routes will definitely be the object of favor for other airlines. However, for the pioneer routes left, it is unlikely that private airlines would want to take over the route.

"Merpati’s passenger filled route will certainly be the object of attraction for other airlines if Merpati were to shut down for real. As for the pioneer routes, the government may have to give incentives before any airline would want to take the route," said Dudi yesterday.

So far, Merpati has carried the responsibility of opening pioneer routes especially to eastern Indonesia, such as Maluku and Papua. On the subject of pioneer routes, it will be in the full authority of the Ministry of Transportation as the regulator if Merpati were to shut down permanently.

"The ministry must give some sort of incentive to other airlines if the option to shut down Merpati is taken. Tax holidays or subsidies can also be given to private airlines to fly the pioneer routes," said Dudi.

Merpati serves a total of 62 round-trip flight routes - 18 are served without any competition from other airlines. While the other 44 routes compete with other airlines such as Garuda, Citilink, Sriwijaya, Lion, Air Asia, Susi Air, Batik Air, Wings Air, Trans Nusa, Travel, Trigana, Sky Aviation, Kalstar and Avia Star.

GALVAN YUDISTIRA