Travel Air assures clients of services

 By BOSORINA ROBBY

TRAVEL Air has assured its loyal customers that it will be back in the skies soon – after it secured a deal with an Indonesian company to supply its aircraft.

The National Court had grounded the airline last week after an American company took Travel Air to court for allegedly failing to pay lease fees totaling K21.2 million. The case is pending in court.

Travel Air chairman Eremas Wartoto yesterday said they would get three new Fokker-50 aircraft from Trans Global Investment and Trading based in Jayapura.

“Travel Air will resume as soon as we get the aircraft into the country,” he said.

“We have teamed up with this Indonesian firm to assist Mangi Lo Ples in its endeavour to continue to fly. 

“The three aircraft will help us satisfy our loyal customers – the grassroots who choose to fly with us. 

“So I want to apologise to these travellers for the recent events. But we guarantee you we will endeavour to get back to operating as soon as practical.”

Travel Air chief executive officer Emmanuel Bai Kadiko said Civil Aviation Safety Authority PNG officials would have to inspect the three aircraft and give them certificates of registration and airworthiness to meet aviation safety standards.

“CASA officials will be travelling to Indonesia to inspect the aircraft. From there, they will make their decision. They have given us their assurances that they will help us,” he said.

“We have also met with positive responses from the Department of Transport and we are optimistic that we will be in operations soon, after all the formalities are handled.” 

 Wartoto was disappointed with the lack of support from local financial institutions and businesses to keep the airline operating.