JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The trouble state-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines decided to temporarily halts its operation until March as the airline is engaging into the restructuring process, Detikfinance.com reported.

Daryanto, operating director of Merpati, earlier said the airline has lack of cash in as the trust of passengers is declining.

He said Merpati is now facing problems such as employees’ salary payment, fuel purchase, reservation system payment due in January 31, 2014, insurance payment, and ticket refund. An employee told Detikfinance.com that the salary has not been paid for last three months.

Daryanto said Merpati halts all flights for February 1-5, 2014. But information from Merpati’s call center said Merpati will halt operation until March.

Merpati earlier said it will keep its business operation as it had invited two private companies to support the maintenance of the aircraft under the joint operation scheme (KSO).

That 2 private companies are PT Bentang Persada Gemilang and PT Amagedon. Both parties had signed the agreement for KSO Wednesday night (Jan 22).