Merpati Plans to Purchase 22 Planes: Jakarta, Indonesia

Business Anatara reports that state-owned Merpati Nusantara Airlines plans to purchase 22 new planes of various types to replace its current fleet over the coming three to five years. Great!. Get rid of those old bangers that rattle and creak.

Well it is kind of great in one way and not another. They are purchasing the airlines from the China Airline company AVIC I. No offence meant to our Chinese readers but, their safety record is right up with that of Russia!. Thankfully however, these new planes will be used on the feeder and pioneer runs, those going to the outer islands and for delivering goods. Had me worried there for a moment.

Apparently the plan will include the purchase of 15 Xinzhuo-60 planes from China airline company AVIC I and the company would focus on buying planes with a maximum capacity of 50 seats to serve passengers. In the coming years the company will need to replace at least 22 planes including the Fokker 27 Twin Otter and Cassa models.
AVIC I deputy general manager I Hu Wenming was quoted by China's Xinhua newswire as saying MNA's order volume was the biggest order ever placed with AVIC I. He declined to discuss the monetary value of the order.

At least now I can be assured that when I fly domestically in Indonesia I won't be sat next to a Giant Panda!.