The Regional Authority for the Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno (RAEOA) has decided to stop the operation of ZEESM flights from Dili to Oe-Cusse and vice versa, which will be replaced by AERO Dili.
The President of the Authority of RAEOA Authority, Rogério Tiago Lobato, together with the Minister of Transport and Communications (MTK), Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, the Executive Director of AERO Dili, Lourenço de Oliveira, and the Air Navigation Administration Timor-Leste (ANA-TL) in a press conference announced that AERO Dili will launch its first domestic flight, route Dili – Oe-Cusse, to replace the ZEESM.
In order for AERO Dili to be able to launch its flights from Dili to Oe-Cusse and vice versa, Rota do Sandalo Oe-Cusse Airport must obtain airport certification for the operation of large passenger airplanes.
“Rota do Sandalo Oe-Cusse Airport will have to fulfil certain requirements in order to obtain airport certification. Therefore, it’s too early to announce the date of AERO Dili’s flight to Oe-Cusse,” said Lobato.
He also said that ANA-TL’s technical team will work closely with AERO Dili’s team to assess the airport’s firefighting service, safety, and security facilities in preparation for the airport’s certification.
At the same time, the CEO of AERO Dili, Lourenço de Oliveira, said that AERO Dili is a commercial airplane that requires a high number of passengers to be able to launch its domestic flight: “But residents of Oé-Cusse need air connectivity and therefore the government’s intervention is necessary.”
“AERO Dili has decided to fly to Oé-Cusse twice a week, on every monday morning and friday afternoon. This will make it easier for many investors and tourists to come to Oé-Cusse. We are always ready to facilitate air transport for everyone in Oé-Cusse,” said Oliveira.
In addition, Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelo said that the Government will make efforts to obtain airport certification for the Rota do Sandalo Oe-Cusse Airport to facilitate large aircraft operations to the region.
“In order to obtain airport certification, our facilities must fulfill infrastructure standards. We therefore need to improve our airports with adequate facilities to facilitate the operation of large passenger airplanes in the region,” he added.
