TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Citilink Indonesia yesterday was forced to unboard one of its passengers for smoking when the plane was refueling.
Citilink Indonesia's Vice President of Corporate Communication Benny Butarbutar said the incident occurred on Sunday, February 25. The passenger who was forced to get off the plane was smoking shortly before Citilink's QG 156 last flight from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to Denpasar, which was scheduled to take off at 21:35.
"When leaving the boarding gate going to the airplane, the passenger was seen smoking, he was still smoking when climbing the stairs of the plane," Benny said in a written statement received by Tempo on Monday, February 26. At that time, the aircraft was refueling and the passenger's position was close to the engine.
According to Benny, that was a very dangerous thing to do; and it threatened the safety and security of aviation.
Hearing the incident, aviation security officers immediately took decisive action, and asked the passenger, who was then seated inside the plane to get off.
Benny said Citilink Indonesia does not tolerate the passenger's attitude. "In the airlines industry, we must be able to ensure that no the safety rules are violated, so flight operations can run safely, smoothly and comfortably."
KARTIKA ANGGRAENI