SINGAPORE : There has been a new twist to the AWAIR saga.
In a statement on Thursday, the Civil Aviation Authority of
Singapore (CAAS) said it was unable to proceed with AWAIR's
application to fly to Singapore because of a new restriction
imposed by Indonesia.
Two months ago, AWAIR was raring to go and looking forward to
launch its Jakarta-Singapore flights. But its maiden flight did not
take off.
The CAAS said then that it was still processing AWAIR's application
to fly to Singapore because certain documents had been submitted
late.
Then last month, AWAIR stepped up the pressure by saying it was
tired of waiting and had decided to abandon its plan to fly to
Singapore.
In a new twist on Thursday, the CAAS said it was unable to proceed
with the application because Indonesian authorities intended to
introduce a new restriction on services by low-cost carriers to and
from certain points in Indonesia.
No details were given but CAAS said it was in contact with its
Indonesian counterpart, hoping to facilitate the operations of all
carriers from both countries.
It told Channel NewsAsia that it looked forward to the lifting of
the restriction.
Meanwhile, AWAIR's President Director Sendjaja Widjaja said the
carrier wished to make an appeal to the CAAS on its decision.
AWAIR is 49 percent owned by Malaysia's AirAsia. - CNA