The Papua Legislative Council Buy 10 Twin Otter Airplanes

JAYAPURA - The Papua Legislative Council has given the go-ahead for the provincial administration to buy 10 DHC-6 Twin Otter twin-engine turboprop airplanes worth Rp 15 billion (US$1.49 million), Yan Mandenas, chairman of the council's Commission D, said on Friday.

He said the airplanes would serve remote areas in Papua, especially pioneer airstrips.

"The council and the Papua governor have coordinated to buy the aircraft. Initially, we will use Rp 3 billion to buy the first planes," he added.

"The budget will be disbursed in two stages, and we estimate that we can start negotiations this month with the Canadian manufacturer."

Mandenas said the airplanes would be used to provide services for people living in remote areas, as the cost of tickets for such journeys were often more expensive than those for Jayapura to Jakarta. [TheJakartaPost| RNW]