Merpati Airline Musr Resume Operation Before End Of February

Jakarta, Feb 5 (Antara) - State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan stated that he will give time for the ailing state-owned airline company Merpati Nusantara Airlines to resume operation before the end of February 2014. "I expect Merpati to resume operation within 21 days," Dahlan noted. Earlier it was reported that Merpati had temporarily shutdown operations starting February 1 due to a decrease in the income and the mounting debt. The company had incurred a debt of Rp6.7 Trillion with various suppliers and was unable to pay the salaries of its employees. Commenting on the operational shutdown, Dahlan stated that it was understandable as the airplane company that provides service to remote areas in Indonesia was in the process of consolidation to solve its problems. "If they insist on still operating, they will lose more money," Dahlan added. Meanwhile Merpati`s VP Corporate Secretary and Legal Riswanto CP explained that the management will keep trying to ease off the burden of its employees by reducing working hours. "During consolidation time, all employees are being given alternate weeks off. However, this policy does not apply to the board of directors," Riswanto explained.