Juanda Airport Reopens Following Lion Air Mishap
The authorities has reopened Juanda International Airport in Surabaya after closing it for to hours to tow away a Lion Mentari Airlines Boeing 737-9GP ER aircraft that skidded off the runway on Saturday (20/02) morning.
The aircraft overran the runway at 11.37 a.m. local time as it arrived from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, amid heavy rain. The pilot managed to bring the plane to a stop with its front wheel exceeding the end of the runway by a meter, preventing any major damage.
None of the 215 passengers, which included six children and four infants, suffered any injuries.
"The aircraft is now parked at the apron for further inspection by the authorities," Lion Air Group chief executive Edward Sirait said in a statement.
"The airplane is airworthy. But, there was very heavy rain," he added.
JG.. 20/02/2016