Merpati airlines moves to Makassar

Andi Hajramuni ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Makassar   |  Sun, 08/31/2008 3:55 PM  |  Business

State airline company PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines has moved its base to Makassar and will start running the new management office on Monday.

Supandi Ahmad Suwito, a general manager of Merpati, said Monday that a total of 150 employees will be moved from Jakarta and the whole moving process should finish by the end of October.

“The board of directors and some staff members has moved to Makassar. However, we will be in full operation by the end of October,” he said.

Merpati will have two offices in Makassar, one for the directors’ office and another one for the company’s main office at the former Hassanuddin international airport site. The company provided a Rp 10 billion (US$1.09 million) budget for the moving process.

Supandi said that the government decided to move Merpati’s office from Jakarta not only to get closer with its major customers in the eastern regions, but also to open logistic access in the region; both for the company’ s and regions’ benefit.

Merpati brand and marketing communication manager Widodo Aryanto said that the moving would also changes the way the company would do its business.

“We are now focusing to be a feeder for other airlines and developing joint operating cooperation with the regional administrations and businesses,” he said.

Merpati has already cooperated with 13 eastern regional cities, including Merauke (Papua), Bau-bau (East Nusa Tenggara), Bima (West Nusa Tenggara), and Mamuju, South Sulawesi. (dre)

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