SINGAPORE : There has been a new twist to the AWAIR saga.
In a statement on Thursday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said it was unable to proceed with AWAIR's application to fly to Singapore because of a new restriction imposed by Indonesia.
Two months ago, AWAIR was raring to go and looking forward to launch its Jakarta-Singapore flights. But its maiden flight did not take off.
The CAAS said then that it was still processing AWAIR's application to fly to Singapore because certain documents had been submitted late.
Then last month, AWAIR stepped up the pressure by saying it was tired of waiting and had decided to abandon its plan to fly to Singapore.
In a new twist on Thursday, the CAAS said it was unable to proceed with the application because Indonesian authorities intended to introduce a new restriction on services by low-cost carriers to and from certain points in Indonesia.
No details were given but CAAS said it was in contact with its Indonesian counterpart, hoping to facilitate the operations of all carriers from both countries.
It told Channel NewsAsia that it looked forward to the lifting of the restriction.
Meanwhile, AWAIR's President Director Sendjaja Widjaja said the carrier wished to make an appeal to the CAAS on its decision.
AWAIR is 49 percent owned by Malaysia's AirAsia. - CNA