Lightning strike delays flights

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)