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Russian Helicopter Eventually Released
Tuesday, 19 July, 2005 | 17:26 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Makassar, South Sulawesi:After being secured over by the Indonesian Air Force for four days in Makassar, a Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter was eventually released and continued on its flight at around 12.30 Eastern Indonesian Time on Monday (18/07) after receiving its flight approval.

Indonesian Air Force Marshall First Class Eddy Suyanto said that the helicopter, which had already been transporting aid for tsunami victims in Aceh since Friday (15/07), needed to be secured at around 12.15 Eastern Indonesian Time (WITA) because it was not flying in line with the agreed route.

The helicopter’s agreed route is: Banda Aceh-Medan-Pekanbaru-Batam-Pontianak-Palangkaraya-Balikpapan-Palu-Gorontalo-Ternate-Biak-Sorong-Jayapura-Papua Nugini.
The helicopter’s flight license to enter Indonesian airspace was issued by the Directorate General of Air Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation.

“However, the special license to enter Makassar was just issued on Monday (18/07). Now, they can continue their journey,” said Suyanto.

He added that there were no problems regarding the documents, including passports, of the helicopter’s six passengers, five Russians and one Australian.

“There are no military personnel, all are civilians,” stated Suyanto.

They are members of the United Nations Joint Logistic Center (UNJLC), which is an official organization under the United Nations (UN). (Irmawati-Tempo News Room)