JAKARTA (JP): State-owned PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines announced Monday it will fly out of Halim Perdanakusumah airport in February to maintain its level of service to passengers.
"The temporary move was taken because weather conditions in Jakarta and its surroundings are expected to remain unpredictable in the coming weeks," Merpati corporate secretary Purwatmo saidin a media release.
"By moving to Halim Perdanakusumah airport, Merpati is anticipating unwanted events experienced by many airlines last week."
from thejakartapost.
Purwatmo was referring to events on Friday, when the Sedyatmo tollroad connecting Jakarta to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was inundated, disrupting flight schedules.
Airport authorities also closed the airport in Tangerang from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to bad weather and limited visibility.
Many airplanes were forced to postpone their departures or divert to another airport including Halim Perdanakusumah airport.
On Monday there were only two Merpati flights departing from Halim Perdanakusumah at 9:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., both heading for Makassar, South Sulawesi.
There were five arrivals scheduled in Halim Perdanakusumah on Monday afternoon from Denpasar, Medan and Makassar.
"We will move all flights to Halim Perdanakusumah on Tuesday," Purwatmo told The Jakarta Post over the phone. (nvn)
