Bad weather disrupts E. Nusa Tenggara flights

Bad weather conditions that have hit East Nusa Tenggara since early Thursday have caused several airlines to cancel their flights from Kupang to nearby islands.

Flag carrier Merpati Nusantara Airlines had to cancel its Kupang-Alor and Kupang-Tambolaka-Southwest Sumba flights, while TransNusa failed to depart from Kupang to Alor and to Ende, Flores.

The air transportation division head at the East Nusa Tenggara Transportation Agency, Donatus Ditamete, confirmed the flight cancellations.

Flight cancellations have resulted in hundreds of passengers being stranded at Kupang’s El Tari Aiport.

There was no certainty as of Thursday afternoon as to when airlines would resume flying.

“We’re still waiting for weather information from the BMKG’s [Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency] Kupang office,” a Merpati staff member said.

He said stranded passengers would be flown on additional flights when the weather improved. (mtq)