Kupang airport stops operation temporarily

KUPANG: All flights to and from El Tari Airport, Kupang, have been grounded for several days pending the removal of a Merpati airplane which made an emergency landing at the airport on Wednesday night.

Merpati Nusantara branch office manager in Kupang, Agus Longdong, said the removal would be slow as it required special equipment from Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar.

"We just don't have *the necessary evacuation equipment*," El Tari Airport duty manager, Zaenal said on Thursday.

Agus said he was relieved that all 88 Merpati passengers and six crews were uninjured during the emergency landing, which was caused by a broken rear tire. - JP