Air Timor: Govt policy, suspected corruption 'destroying' East Timor's only airline

Why would a nation seek to sabotage its only local airline in favour of 2 foreign carriers that are ranked among the "least safe" airlines in the world? It sounds incomprehensible. But East Timor's govt stands accused of actively trying to "destroy" the country's only carrier, Air Timor, effectively giving Indonesian airline Sriwijaya and its budget subsidiary, NAM Airlines, a monopoly on routes to Indonesia. Air Timor this week axed its once-lucrative flights between Dili and Bali, and is preparing to sack most of its local staff in Dili. The future of its other international route, between Dili and Singapore, is uncertain. The airline blames govt policy and suspected corruption for its woes. "In one year, govt policy has destroyed us," former Air Timor COO Ed Turner said. <br/>