In 2012, Merpati Nusantara Airlines will add to the fleet

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines will add to its fleet beginning 2012. This company will allocate at least IDR 224.4 billion to bring the aircraft in the period 2012 to 2014.
According to Director of Operations Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Asep Eka Nugraha, funds used for the addition of the fleet reaches 40% of the total State Capital funds (PMN) to IDR 561 billion disbursed by the government to the state-owned company.

For the initial stage, it will bring 14 units of Boeing B737 series aircraft through a lease in 2012. The plane will come gradually from February to December 2012. With the addition of 14 aircraft, the total aircraft of Merpati Nusantara Airlines at the end of 2012 a total of 44 units. "We will bring dozens of aircraft, for the early stages of 2012 we bring 14 Boeing B737 series," Asep said when re-opening the Merpati Airlines flight route Jakarta - Pangkalpinang in Pangkalpinang.

Asep reveal, the revitalization of the fleet is needed in line with the Merpati Airlines plans to re-route flights serve in Indonesia's western region. "The plane was scheduled to reinforce additional routes in the western parts of Indonesia such as Medan, Kalimantan and other west regions of Indonesia," said Asep.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday (21/12), Merpati Nusantara Airlines re-serving the route flight from Jakarta to Pangkalpinang after being abandoned since 1998.  The inaugural flight carried out by Boeing B737-300 aircraft. Flights on the route was done once a day, ie from Jakarta at 15:50 pm and from Pangkalpinang 17.30 pm.

"In return flight for the first time with Boeing B737-300 aircraft with a capacity of 132 seats, the passenger load factor more than 90%. Going forward, we targeted load factor could be stabilized at 80%," he explained.

Reopening of this route is expected to support the Bangka Belitung community for ease of air transportation. "According to our mission to continue to connect the archipelago," said Asep.

Governor of the province of the Bangka Belitung, Eko Maulana Ali said the move of Merpati Airlines are interconnected economy helped open Bangka Belitung. "With the airlines that fly to Pangkalpinang, can support the flow of both passenger transport and goods, especially to Jakarta," he said after the ceremony welcoming the first flight of Merpati Airlines to Pangkalpinang.

According to Eko until now, there are three airlines that fly to the Bangka Belitung, such as Garuda Indonesia, Batavia Airlines, and Sriwijaya Airlines. With the incoming of Merpati Nusantara Airlines, then total are four airlines that will serve the airport Depati Amir, Pangkalpinang. On average there are about 3,800 daily passengers.

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Merpati Airlines to open two new routes

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines is now flying farther. The plan, the national airline will open two new routes on 24 August.

Two new routes to be opened is the route of Semarang - Surabaya and Surabaya - Banyuwangi. Commerce Director of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines Tony Achmad Aulia said the two new routes will be flown once a day for seven days a week. "We will use the MA 60 aircraft each with a capacity of 56 seats," said Tony.

According to Tony, the opening of new routes before Eid ul-Fitr deliberately chose the time when many people travel back and forth. Besides that, the new route is aimed at helping the government break down the traffic jams during Eid ul-Fitr.

Onwards, the two new routes will be maintained despite the home coming Eid ul-Fitr season is over. According to Tony,  the second route potential to be developed to target the people who travel on business between cities in Indonesia.

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Merpati Nusantara Airlines buy 20 aircraft from PT Dirgantara Indonesia

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) plans to buy 20 aircraft types N-219 from PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI). This will be started in 2015.

"In our business plan until 2020 there was a need 20 units aircraft with 20 seater. PT DI manufacture it. And, in our meeting, PT Dirgantara Indonesia is able to produce in 2014, 2015 forward, on work," said President Director of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) Sardjono Jhony Ciptokusomo, after attending a meeting with a number of ministries related with PMN, in the Parliament Building, Jakarta, Monday (04/07/2011).

He revealed this as part of the promotion of synergy between the BUMN (Indonesian state owned enterprises). Sardjono would also agree if Merpati Airlines will use domestic products. "If it was say 4 million U.S. dollars per unit, then approximately 80 million dollars," he added.

For these funds, he could not say from which source. Purchase this plane will not use the funds obtained from the PMN (State Capital) amounting to Rp561 billion. But, he said, the intention is the first thing.

Purchase of 20 units of aircraft is expected to be fulfilled in three years, with seven aircraft per year. The aircraft is planned to use by Merpati Nusantara Airlines further reach out to the border regions. "So that the communities in the border areas do not feel isolated, do not feel left out," said Sardjono.

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Merpati Airlines fall, this was the fifth plane crash of Chinese production

The fall of Merpati Airlines, MA-60 aircraft to the waters of the Kaimana, West Papua, on Saturday (7 / 5) is the fifth time for an aircraft accident made in China. This accident is also the most fatal accidents have ever experienced MA-60 aircraft since the first time operated by Sichuan Airlines in 2000.

The first accident occurred on January 11, 2009. At that time, Xian MA-60 belong to Zest Airways flight 865 with 22 passengers and 33 crew members have undershot on Runway 06. The accident occurred when the plane landed at Godofredo P Ramos Airport, Philippines. Landing gear and propeller aircraft suffered severe damage. Three people were injured. However, there were no fatalities.

The second accident occurred on June 25, 2009. At that time, Xian MA-60 belong to Zest Airways flight number 863 with 54 passengers and 5 crews have overshot on landing at Godofredo P Ramos Airport. No injuries in the accident.

The third accident occurred on November 3, 2009. Xian MA-60 UM-239 owned by Air Zimbabwe hit five wild boar during takeoff from Harare International Airport. The plane managed to stop the takeoff process. However, plane was badly damaged in a collision.

Meanwhile, on December 7, 2010, the fourth accident occurred at Rangoon International Airport. Xian MA-60 aircraft at that time also skidded while landing.

The latest accident and the worst crash is Merpati Airlines MA-60 type in Kaimana, West Papua, on Saturday (05/07/2011) afternoon. The plane crashed and sank.

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Merpati) ever stop operating (grounded) MA-60 aircraft made by Xian Aircraft of China following the damage to the rudder (wing section) back of the plane.

"Grounded we do because there was a crack on the rear wing," said (late) Director of Merpati Airlines, Bambang Bhakti after a hearing with Commission XI DPR-RI at the parliament building on Wednesday (10/6/2009).

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Merpati Airlines plans to add new aircraft

PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MNA) or the Merpati Airlines plans to add new vehicles to support its performance. For the addition of 15 MA-60 fleet types, the total funding needed by Merpati Airlines almost USD 30 billion. Not just that, Merpati Airline also intends to add 11 SAAB fleet type with an investment of USD 58 billion.

Finance Director of Merpati Airlines, Robi Quento explained, for the fleet type of the MA-60 will begin to operate in June 2010 to serve 49 flight routes. Procurement of these aircrafts  which is coming from China, is done through Sub Loan Agreement. While for the aircraft SAAB type, Robi said that will bring it from Norway in October this year. Financing of SAAB aircraft type which will serve 42 routes done by way of operating lease.

"To improve the performance of MNA, Merpati Airlines have increased the number of aircraft or perform rejuvenation of the aircraft to enhance production, competitiveness, and serve. In addition, also for the selection of routes will be focused on routes that are growing and in accordance with the fleet owned by the Merpati Nusantara Airlines, "said Robi. Funds for the purchase of this aircraft is part of the operational funding requirements this year to reach USD 310 billion.