Dili, 24 May 2019 (Lusa)
Chinese airline Air Travel and Timorese carrier Air Timor have signed an agreement that will allow direct flights between Dili and Hong Kong, and later to other airports in the region.
The Code-Share Agreement
Air Travel representative Tony Sum told Lusa that the company expects to receive its international flight certificate within two months. The strategy is to begin operations in Timor-Leste by assuming a minority stake in Air Timor and making Dili its first international base.
The Air Travel representative attended a meeting with Air Timor officials, Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak, and former President José Ramos-Horta, who is monitoring the project.
“There is an agreement between Air Timor and Air Travel that will allow a code-share between companies so that a plane is stationed in Dili allowing connections with Hong Kong and later with other cities in the region,” said Ramos-Horta.
About Air Travel and the Planned Operation
Air Travel — established in May 2016 as Hongtu Airlines and renamed in 2018 — is based at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan Province, China.
Key details of the proposed operation:
- Aircraft: Airbus A319 with capacity to reach any city within a 4,800 km radius
- Seats: 124 total, including 8 business class
- Initial route: Dili ↔ Hong Kong
- Indicative fare: approximately USD $300 for the Dili–Hong Kong link
- Ground infrastructure: Air Travel would fund and build a hangar in Dili
- Staffing: A dedicated technical, service, and maintenance team stationed in Dili
Tony Sum described the arrangement as “a strategic partnership”, adding that a second aircraft would follow as business grows.
Air Timor’s Role
Air Timor, incorporated under East Timorese law, brings years of experience operating flights between Dili and Denpasar (Bali) and Singapore under a wet-lease model. The airline has trained staff covering ground operations, ticket sales, and has the potential to progressively train more Timorese nationals as flight crew.
Breaking Timor-Leste’s Aviation Isolation
The deal comes amid mounting frustration over Timor-Leste’s air connectivity. As of 1 April 2019, the country lost its Dili–Singapore service, leaving only three international routes:
| Route | Carrier | Notable Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Dili – Bali (Indonesia) | Garuda/Sriwijaya/Citilink | Criticised for disproportionately high fares |
| Dili – Darwin (Australia) | AirNorth (Qantas-affiliated) | Among the most expensive per-kilometre routes globally |
| Dili – Singapore | Suspended April 2019 | No longer operational |
Ramos-Horta, who stressed he has no financial involvement in the project, has been outspoken about the situation: “I accompanied Air Timor because I have been trying to help the country find a solution to the current isolation we live in.”
Next Steps for the Government
Ramos-Horta stated that “the ball is now completely on the side of the Government”, identifying several actions needed to unlock the partnership:
- Accessing international aviation instruments to allow new route approvals
- Strengthening technical capacity in aircraft certification and operational safety
- Facilitating the regulatory steps required for Air Travel to begin international operations
“If the Government moves, the plane can come already,” he said.
The high cost of air travel remains one of the most significant barriers to tourism growth in Timor-Leste, compounding existing infrastructure challenges across the country.