The passenger plane belonging to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was forced to land because it did not have a permit to enter Indonesian air space.Makasar (ANTARA News) - Two Indonesian Air Force Sukhoi jet fighters on Monday pursued and eventually forced a Pakistan Air plane to land at Hassanudin Airport, Makasar, because it had entered Indonesian air space illegally.
A public information officer at Hassanudin airport, Captain Agus, said the Sukhoi fighter planes managed to force the Pakistani airplane to change course and land in Makassar.
"Two Sukhois of Air Squadron 5 at Sultan Hasanudin Airport immediately pursued and warned the commercial plane," Agus said.
The passenger plane belonging to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was forced to land because it did not have a permit to enter Indonesian air space.
According to PT.Angkasa Pura I spokesman Agus Raharjo earlier, the Boeing 737-300 that was flying a Dili-Kuala Lumpur route landed at Sultan Hasanudin Airport at 1.30 pm local time.
Indonesian Air Force personnel were now questioning the Pakistan pane`s crew about their legal documents.
"A clear permit is needed for a plane to fly across a country`s aerial territory, based on reports received, the plane carried 54 passengers ," he said.
"The Foreign Affairs Ministry had yet receive a request for clearance from PIA to fly over Indonesian territory," said foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Michael Tene here Monday.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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