East
Timor, one of Asia’s newest nations, will see its first low-cost carrier (LCC)
services from September following an agreement between the nation’s commercial
carrier, Air
Timor, and Garuda Indonesia offshoot Citilink.
First
services—due to start in September using a Citilink Boeing 737-500—will see a
Denpasar, Bali-Dili Nicolau Lobato, East Timor, route. The agreement allows for
up to four aircraft to be used on yet-to-be-announced schedules to East
Timorese destinations. These could potentially include services to the Oecussi
enclave as well as the former military Baucau Airport.
Citilink
spokesperson Mega Satria said the agreement will see a significant expansion of
capability for the island’s tourism business.
“This
collaboration does not just reflect the interests of the airline business, but
will help develop tourism ... and contribute to the development of East Timor,
Bali and Indonesia too,” he said.
Air
Timor CEO Belchior Francisco Bento Alves Pereira also hinted at further
partnerships; he said Air Timor is currently “working closely” with Citilink
parent Garuda.
Currently,
Air Timor charters an Airbus A319 from Silk Air to serve its daily
Denpasar-Dili and 3X-weekly Singapore-Dili routes, but Citilink’s fleet of
single-aisle A320s, Boeing 737 aircraft and Garuda’s ATR 72 turboprops would
add significantly to the island’s accessibility.
Jeremy Torr - ATW
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