TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport’s Terminal 3 was packed with 826 passengers that mostly consist of Saudi nationals intending to board two Saudia Airlines flights back to Saudi Arabia.

The pileup on Sunday, March 15, happened due to Saudi’s decision to suspend all flights into the country following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“We secured Terminal 3’s check-in counter for passengers boarding the Gate 2 of Saudi Arabian Airlines,” said Head of Soekarno-Hatta’s aviation security (Avsec) Commissioner Alexander Yurikho on Sunday.

The hundreds of passengers had gathered since noon. The two flights destined for Saudi Arabia that were canceled were flight SV825 and SV819 that initially were scheduled to depart at 13:30 and 17:30 respectively.

“The passengers were mostly Saudi Arabian nationals,” said Alexander.

Furthermore, he explained that the passengers were informed via text message about the cancelation prior to the flight schedule, however, they continued to arrive at the check-in counter.

Alexander also explained that the Saudi Arabian government through its Embassy in Indonesia had already announced that it has suspended flights entering the country.

The 826 passengers are now accommodated at a hotel nearby the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport until further decision by the Saudi government is made.

JONIANSYAH (CONTRIBUTOR)