The plan of state owned airline to add its fleet will soon come true, as a number of new fleets ordered earlier will be delivered soon. Reported that as many as 13 MA-60 produced in China will soon be delivered to Jakarta in the near future. However, Merpati Nusantara Airlines is still waiting for the import document accomplishment of those fleets now being processed by Ministry of Trade. Merpati expects the process will run as expected, so those fleets can soon help to strengthen its service. Of the total 13 fleets ordered, as many as 4 fleets are scheduled to arrive at Jakarta in early November 2010, according to Merpati Nusantara Airlines President Director, Jhony Tjitrokusumo. Jhony explained the MA-60 will replace the CN 235 that have been pioneered to serve the country for a long time. "The CN 235 have served the routes to Medan, Riau, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Ambon Maluku, and some other routes for a long time," Jhony told Cargo Times (CT+). Up to January 1, 2010, Merpati Nusantara Airlines deployed several fleets, including: 2 Boeing 737-400 (PK-MDO,PK-MDZ), 2 Boeing 737-200 (PK-MBC,PK-MBE), 7 Boeing 737-300 (PK-MBP, PK-MDF,PK-MDG,PK-MDH,PK-MDJ,PK-MDK, PK-MDQ), 2 Fokker-100 (PK-MJC, PK-MJD), 1 CN-235 (PK-MNE), 10 CASA C 212 (PK-NCH, PK-NCL,PK-NCN,PK-NCR,PK-NCS,PK-NCV, PK-NCW,PK-NCX,PK-NCY,PK-NCZ), 8 Twin Otter DHC-6 (PK-NUH, PK-NUI, PK-NUO, PK-NUR, PK-NUS, PK-NUU, PK-NUZ, PK-NVA), 1 ATR 72 (PK-MFA). The Merpati Nusantara Airlines Commercial Director Toni Aulia meanwhile said that the MA-60 will serve the feeder and pioneer routes. "So, the pioneer routes can function maximal. By serving these routes, Merpati will continue its commitment to serve the local community who travel for business, tourism, or any other purposes," Toni explained. Produced by Xian Aircraft Company in Shaanxi Province, China, MA-60 (Modern Ark 60) is a propellern airplane with 50 seats. Produced in 2007 with engine made by Pratt & Whitney, Propeller made by Hamilton, and Auxiliary Power Unit by Honeywell, the airplane is suitable for short-distance flight and interfiled flights. MA-60 is made in China, following the global trend that relocate their fabrics to China to cut cost. However, in case of safety, MA-60 has got certification from Indonesian Ministry of Transportation since 2007. This aircraft has also held permit from Civil Aviation Administration of China in June 2000. Many of the products have been exported to Bolivia, Laos, Congo, Philippine, Indonesia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (ys/wikipedia)