Yogya runway cleared

Yogya runway cleared

YOGYAKARTA: The Adisucipto airport was reopened on Wednesday, after the authorities managed to remove a Boeing 737-200 from the end of a runway, stuck and abandoned since Monday night.

The plane, belonging to the private operator Sempati Air, skidded upon landing and overshot the runway by about 110 meters. All 54 people on board were safe but the plane suffered heavy underside damages and its front wheel broke was dug deep into the soil.

It took the airport authorities 20 hours to remove the plane and tow it to the hangar, Antara reported.

The airport was reopened but limited by authorities to small planes pending the completion of the project to extend the runway. All Boeing 737-200s and DC-9s, which used to fly in and out of Yogya, have all been diverted to Adisumarmo airport in Surakarta (Solo). (emb)