TEMPO.CO, Padang - Garuda Indonesia Padang-Jakarta flights was forced to return to Minangkabau International Airport, Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, on Monday night, December 14. The GA-169 aircraft struck a bird on its way to Jakarta from Padang.
“Yes, our aircraft returned to Minangkabau International Airport after a bird strike,” General Manager Garuda Indonesia of Padang Ryanto A. Winarso told Tempo on Monday.
The plane took off from Minangkabau around 6:40pm but after bird strike, the aircraft returned to Minangkabau Airport around 7:30pm as the plane could not continue its flight to Jakarta. Passengers perforced to wait until another plane returned from Jakarta.
“There was a slight problem with the engine. So we have to wait for a replacement aircraft and spare part,” said Ryanto.
The 76-passengered aircraft with 3 business-class passengers and 73 economy-class passengers was then rescheduled to depart for Jakarta at 00:15am local time Tuesday, December 15. “We are giving compensation for passengers based on the regulation,” he said.
ANDRI EL FARUQI
