VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta - Indonesia's airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) I temporarily suspended 158 flights from and to China from Wednesday, (Feb 5), in accordance with the government's policy to thwart the entry of coronavirus into the country.

"In accordance with the president's directives on the temporary suspension of flights to and from China since this February 5, several Angkasa Pura I airports have temporarily closed down flight operations to and from China as a matter of fact since the end of January," President Director of PT Angkasa Pura I Faik Fahmi noted in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.

Angkasa Pura I's airports that serve flights, with routes to and from China in 2020 include the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali; Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manador, North Sulawesi Province; and Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo, Central Java.

The authorities of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali canceled 125 flights per week from 22 destinations in China. Seven airlines serving the routes to and from China are China Eastern, with 14 flights per week; China Southern, 10 flights per week; Citilink, 11 flights per week; Lion Air, 29 flights a week; Xiamen Air, 14 flights per week; Garuda Indonesia, 22 flights per week; and Sriwijaya Air, 25 flights per week.

At the Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado, 28 flights a week were canceled from 10 destinations. Five airlines serving the routes are China Southern, with three flights per week; Citilink, four flights per week; Lion Air, 15 flights per week; and Xiamen Air, four flights per week.

In the meantime, since January 30, 2020, the Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo has temporarily suspended chartered or unscheduled flights from and to China, Kunming. On January 29, a total of 174 Chinese tourists, who had visited Solo, returned to Kunming.

Angkasa Pura I has actively participated in raising awareness of the dangers of coronavirus and its prevention among all passengers at 14 airports. Angkasa Pura I has also set up a coronavirus handling post including one at the Yogyakarta International Airport.

Faik stated that Angkasa Pura I had also diverted its focus on the condition of airport officials, so that they could serve with the best conditions and safely.(ANTARA)