Air links remain uninterrupted
Flights between Malaysia and Indonesia unaffected by tsunami
PETALING JAYA: Flights from Malaysia to Indonesia remain unaffected by the tsunami that struck the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, which is believed to have been triggered by the Anak Krakatau volcano eruption.
Checks on airlines and its service routes from Malaysia to Indonesia showed that there were no flight cancellations and delays yesterday.
A Malaysia Airlines spokesman said no flights were affected as of now and it is monitoring the situation in Indonesia.
However, scores of domestic flights in Indonesia were called off while some were delayed.
Flight tracking website flightaware.com showed that Garuda Indonesia – the country’s national airline – cancelled 29 flights while 17 were delayed.
It is not immediately known if these were related to the tsunami but half of these domestic flights affected are linked to the Soekarno– Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.
It is the closest airport to the Krakatoa island, about 136km away.
Another tracking website flightstats.com showed that Indonesia’s low-cost airline Lion Air had four cancellations and 35 delays.
The deadly tsunami killed hundreds and injured 745 after it occurred at around 9.27pm (10.27pm Malaysian time) on Saturday in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Malaysia stands ready to extend assistance to Indonesia in the wake of the disaster.
“I am saddened to hear the news of the tsunami disaster in Indonesia.
“Malaysia is ready to extend assistance to alleviate the burden of our brothers and sisters in Indonesia. @ jokowi#PrayForIndonesia,” she said in a Twitter feed.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency Data Information and Public Relations head Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that Pandeglang, South Lampung and Serang were the worst hit areas.
Scientists said the tsunami was probably caused by the eruption of Anak Krakatoa, a volcanic island formed over years from the nearby Krakatoa volcano.
They also cited that tidal waves were caused by the full moon. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that there were no Malaysians among the casualties.
“Malaysians in Indonesia, who are in need of assistance can contact the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta through email at mwjakarta@kln. gov.my / jkonsular@gmail.com or call + 62215224947 and +6281380813036,” the ministry said in a statement.