REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan was reluctant to receive the pilots of the debt-ridden Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Merpati) at his office here on Monday.
The pilots, members of the Merpati Pilots Association, came to the State Enterprises Ministry to seek clarifications on their fate as the airline company has temporarily shut down its operations.
"I have received them. Now, let them meet Pak Wahyu, the business infrastructure deputy because he knows more about the case," Dahlan said.
The minister noted that it was better for the pilots to meet Wahyu because he knew about the developments in the company, including the rescue program and its current conditions.
Clad in black and white uniforms, about 40 pilots arrived at the State Enterprises Ministry at 7 a.m. on Monday to meet the minister, but nobody received them until 8.30 a.m.
On February 1, 2014, Merpati closed most of its routes due to its inability to continue to run its operations.
However, its President Director Asep Ekanugraha later said he was optimistic about Merpati flying again from early March, after the implementation of the operational cooperation agreement.
"Hopefully, Merpati will fly again early in March, especially on the routes that were closed before," he remarked at a press conference.
He stated that the company had signed a joint operation agreement with 15 companies, including PT Benteng Persada Gemilang and PT Amagedon Indonesia.
There have been efforts to salvage the airline company through business and debt restructuring, capital infusion, streamlining and other actions, but so far, there has been no improvement. Therefore, the company has invited investors to invest in the company, he added.
"Companies that have agreed to conduct joint operations have expressed their commitment to developing Merpati. They know about the company's conditions and will therefore help salvage it," Asep explained.
He added that Merpati will immediately submit an application again for an aircraft operation certificate to the transportation ministry.
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