DILI, 01 april 2022 (TATOLI) – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), Government and US Agency for International Development (USAID) launched today the first scheduled domestic flight between Dili and Ataúro.
MAF National Director Nick Hitchins said the flight is reliable and fast, aims to facilitate the transport of tourists to the island of Ataúro and increase local economic growth.
“The flight is our commitment to help the Timorese people to recover the economy and bring hope to the population”, he said in his speech.
The representative of the Embassy of the United States of America (USA) said that the Government maintains cooperation with Timor-Leste.
“The US supports Timor-Leste in the development of the tourism industry through the Tourism for All project and, in cooperation with Asosiasaun Turizmu Koleku Mahanak Ataúro (ATKOMA), created the Tourist Information Center”, said the US Chargé d’Affaire, Tom Daley.
According to the official, the Tourism for All project encouraged ATKOMA and MAF to create an air link between Dili and Ataúro in order to increase the number of visitors.
The Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Industry (MTCI), José Lucas do Carmo, thanked MAF and ATKOMA for cooperating with the population and promoting tourism.
The minister said that the US government has been providing assistance in various sectors and cooperating with USAID and ATKOMA on air flights.
The price of each ticket is US$30 for domestic travelers and US$75 for international travelers. These flights take place twice a week for a year.
Journalist: Jesuína Xavier
Translator: Jose Belarmino de sa
Edirtor: Maria Auxiliadora/Rafy Belo
