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Lion Air Group suspends flights from and to Malaysia amid lockdown
Lion Air Group has temporarily suspended its international flights from and to Malaysia from Wednesday until March 31.
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A Lion Air plane takes off. Lion Air Group has temporarily suspended its international flights from and to Malaysia from Wednesday until March 31 amid a lockdown imposed on Malaysia. (Antara/-)
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ion Air Group has temporarily suspended its international flights from and to Malaysia from Wednesday until March 31 following the Malaysian government’s decision to lock down the country, effectively barring people from crossing its borders to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In the Lion Air Group airlines are Kuala Lumpur-based Malindo Air and Jakarta-based Batik Air and Wings Air.
“This measure is being carried out to support the national movement by the Malaysian government by which people in Malaysia are not allowed to leave the country while the entry of foreign visitors is limited,” said Lion Air Group spokesperson Danang Mandala Prihantoro in a statement obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Danang said the decision to suspend all international flights from and to Malaysia was taken after considering the safety and security of all passengers, cabin crew members and all Lion Air Group staff members amid the global pandemic.
Read also: How a 16,000-strong religious gathering led Malaysia to lockdown
The COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 218,000 people worldwide and caused about 8,800 fatalities. Indonesia reported 227 confirmed cases and 19 deaths as of Wednesday.
Danang said the Lion Air Group would notify its passengers and refund their tickets. Passengers would also be given an option to reschedule their flights based on seat availability.
Lion Air Group serves at least 10 routes connecting Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia. The flights include Aceh-Penang, Medan-Penang, Jakarta-Penang, Pekanbaru-Malaka, Pekanbaru-Subang, Selangor, Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur, Bandung-Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar-Kuala Lumpur.
While it suspends international flights, Lion Air Group will continue its domestic flights within Malaysia and Indonesia.
