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Indonesian businessman Rachmat Gobel has shown keen interest
in taking over Bouraq airline, which has not operated since early this
year due to prolonged financial problems.
Gobel, who is also the chief commissioner of PT Panasonic Gobel
Indonesia, said that he was interested in buying the airline.
He said his team would first study its condition.
"Bouraq had a long history in the country's airline industry. It had a
solid reputation. However, I have not made any decisions yet," he was
quoted as saying by Kompas on Friday.
Gobel said the airline business in Indonesia was promising but to
really tap into its business potential, an airline should be managed
professionally.
Separately, Transportation Minister Hatta Rajasa said his ministry had
received a request from Bouraq airline to resume operations.
According to Hatta, under the prevailing regulations, the ministry
would directly revoke the license of an airline that had totally
stopped its flights.
However, he added, since Buoraq's management had submitted the
proposal, his ministry would give the airline a second chance.
"According to Bouraq's management, the airline will receive fresh
funds, and a feasibility study on the resumption of its business
activities is underway," said Hatta.
Besides Bouraq, he said, other airlines that had shut down, such as
Star Air and Air Paradise, had also indicated interest in resuming
their flights.
The Transportation Ministry revoked three airline's route licenses in
January 2006 -- Star Air, Air Paradise and Bouraq Airlines -- because
of their failure to serve their routes.
Director General of Air Transportation Mohammad Iksan Tatang said
earlier the ministry would give the airline a chance to get its
management in order.
Star Air and Bouraq stopped operating in July 2005 because they were
unable to compete with low-cost airlines.
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