"In a week around three flights are delayed on the average on bad weather."Timika (ANTARA News) - Flights to the airport of Ewer in the regency of Asmat have been suspended for the past two weeks as the airport was blocked by protesting local community.
The local people demanded compensation for the land used for the expansion of the airport.
Head of the air transport division of the Central Papua transport service John Rettob said flights between Timika and Ewer has been closed for more than two weeks.
The route has been served by Trigana Air using the Pilatus Porter aircraft twice a week, John said here Wednesday.
"For two weeks Trigana Air could not fly to Ewer as the local people are still blocking the airport," he said.
The Asmat district administration plans to expand the air strip to be able to accommodate larger aircraft.
So far there have been regular flights between the Ewer airport and Merauke and Timika.
Meanwhile, pioneer and regular flights between Timika and other interior areas in Papua are normal, although bad weather often caused delays,John said.
"In a week around three flights are delayed on the average on bad weather," he added.
There are 17 flights a week from Timika to Papua`s interior areas not including chartered flights.
Other than Trigana Air, flights to the interior areas are served by Susy Air and Jhon Lin Air.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
