Indonesia bans commercial flying until 1 June

Indonesia has banned commercial flying from 24 April until 1 June, in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The ban on commercial flying was part of a larger travel ban imposed by the Indonesian government on Indonesians seeking to travel back to their hometowns to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, which falls on 24 May. The country’s director general for civil aviation, Novie Riyanto, was quoted in a 23 April CNBC Indonesia report as saying that the ban would apply to both scheduled and charter flights operating to domestic and international destinations. He adds that exceptions would only apply to cargo, medical, and repatriation flights, as well as flights carrying state leaders and their representatives, and those of international organisations. Indonesia’s air navigation service will continue to operate, and airports will handle flights that remain in service.<br/>