DILI, 10 April 2026 (TATOLI) — Aero Dili, the flag carrier airline of Timor-Leste, suspended flights to Singapore and China and scale back other routes as a global aviation fuel crisis pushes up operating costs.
Airline Executive Director Lourenço de Oliveira made the statement after meeting President José Ramos-Horta on Thursday.
During the meeting, Olveira briefed the head of state on the impact of rising fuel prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
“As an airline, we will suspend Aero Dili flights from Timor-Leste to Singapore, as well as from Dili to Fuzhou (China), and will resume them once the situation returns to normal,” said Oliveira.
He further explained that some flight routes will be reduced from twice or thrice weekly to only once per week, specifically those to Malaysia and China.
“Operations to Indonesia will also depend on the ongoing fuel crisis,” the businessman said.
Regarding tickets, Oliveira said that prices have increased in line with the global situation, particularly due to aviation fuel (avtur) prices, which have risen by 90% since March 2026—a challenge being faced worldwide and not just in Timor-Leste.
Despite this issue, he said Aero Dili would not reduce its staff, unlike other airlines around the world that are currently downsizing their workforce.
Aero Dili also presented the current Government’s position on supporting Aero Dili as a Timorese-owned company to ensure its continued operations. Consequently, Aero Dili has a plan for the Government to take a shareholding (equity) in the company to strengthen its existence.
TATOLI
