Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Transport Minister Freddy Numberi said he did not fear that the routes of Mandala Airlines would be neglected following the temporary closure of its operations beginning on Thursday.

"There must be other airlines which would use the routes. At present there are Mandala routes being served by Batavia Air and Lion Air. I am not worried there will be neglected passengers," the minister said here on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting on oil lifting chaired by Vice President Boediono, the minister said that if Mandala failed to find new investors in 45 days, its operational license would be revoked.

In connection with the chaos of passengers` ticket refunds, the minister said that he had instructed his ministry officials to provide assistance.

He reminded that passengers` money must be returned to them.

Earlier, President Director of Mandala Airlines Diono Nurjadin said his side would submit a request for the postponement of meeting its obligation to pay its debts to the Central Jakarta Commercial Court in an effort to restructure its business and rekindle its profit.

He said that as of January 13, Mandala would temporarily stop all of its operations as part of its efforts to carry out restructuring.

Diono did not explain how long it will temporarily stop its operations.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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