A government statement reported that the plane flew from Indonesia carrying seventeen passengers, including the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, José Agustinho da Silva.

It said the plane will be used for regular flights from Dili to Indonesia and Singapore starting 28 March, with plans to expand to Australia, China and the Philippines.

Timor-Leste’s government said that it believed having a state-carrier would lead to lower flight prices and “improvements in national mobility and connectivity.”

Before Tuesday, Timor-Leste had no national carriers and flights to the country were operated by Qantas, Air North, Air Asia, Sriwijiya and NAM Air.

The impact of COVID-19 border lockdown led to significant decrease in flights operating from Timor-Leste and spiralling ticket prices that are yet to fall to pre-COVID 19 cost level.

The plane's arrival at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport was witnessed by several members of the Government and by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta.