Kites flown for money: Authority

Kites flown for money: Authority

JAKARTA (JP): An executive from airport management firm PT
Angkasa Pura has accused Cengkareng residents in Tangerang of
intentionally flying kites in the Soekarno-Hatta Airport vicinity
in the hope of seeking financial assistance from the company.

"We've suspected that a money motive is behind the ploy," the
firm's operational director Moelyono D. S. was quoted by Antara
as saying on Wednesday.

He said the firm had identified some 120 residents who
regularly flew kites within the airport vicinity and suspected
some of them as acting as provocateurs.

He said the firm had on several occasions organized bazaars to
provide cheap basic commodities for neighborhood residents. He
said residents had nevertheless continued with their kite flying
activities.

"The kites have disturbed the airplanes approaching and
leaving the airport. We have warned the residents of the danger,
but they ignore (our warnings)," Moelyono said.

Moelyono said 10 airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Japan
Airlines and KLM, had filed protests with the firm about the kite
interference.

"The kites may stop a plane's engine if they get caught in its
propellers," he said.

Chief of the Airport Police Subprecinct Capt. Titik Valentina
warned residents of the dangers of kite flying in the vicinity.

"Flying kites around the airport is against an international
flights rule," she said on Thursday.

The International Civil Aviation Association Regulation
stipulates that kites are only permitted to be flown at least one
kilometer away from the runway and at a maximum height of 20
meters.

Relations between the airport management firm and residents
have been strained for some time. (asa)