Lightning strike delays flights

JAKARTA (JP): The radar system at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport malfunctioned for several hours last night after it was struck by lightning, causing long flight delays.

A reliable airport source, who refused to be named, told The Jakarta Post that the crucial system started to malfunction about 6 p.m. during a heavy thunderstorm.

"As far as I know, this is the first time such an incident has occurred at this airport," he said.

None of the on-duty officers from state-owned firm PT Angkasa Pura, which manages the airport, were available to comment on the system's failure or the disruption to flights.

"Sorry, we're busy right now. There are no statements being made to the press at the moment," officer Rusdi said.

But airport sources said the radar failure lasted at least four hours and had primarily affected overseas flights.

A staffer of Singapore Airlines admitted that passengers on flight 163, which was supposed to take off at 8 p.m., boarded two hours later than scheduled. (ind/amd)