VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 crashing in the Seribu Islands waters has become an impetus for the government to improve the domestic aircraft maintenance system, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated.

"This is a tragedy. Hence, in my opinion, we will continue to improve in the maintenance of our aircraft," the minister noted in his remarks at the online launch of Proud of Indonesian Products, Monday.

Pandjaitan expressed condolences over the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182 in the waters of Seribu Islands on Saturday.

The minister also took the time to lead prayers for the victims during his remarks at the event.

The Transportation Ministry earlier confirmed that airport authorities had lost contact with Sriwijaya Air flight number SJ-182, serving the Jakarta-Pontianak route, at approximately 2:40 p.m. local time on Saturday.

According to the ministry, the last contact was made with the Boeing 737-500 jet, with registration number PK CLC, at 11 nautical miles north of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after passing an altitude of 11 thousand feet and while rising to 13 thousand feet.

The plane took off from the Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 2:40 p.m. local time on Saturday and was scheduled to land at Supadio Airport in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, at 3:50 p.m. local time.

Based on the manifest, the plane carried onboard 50 passengers and 12 crew members. (antaranews)