According to Silangit Airport chief Poltak Siburian the coordinating minister was scheduled to land at 11.00 am local time but five minutes before the hour, the weather over the airport turned bad and Hatta`s private jet aircraft had to abort its landing schedule.
The airport was hit by strong winds and covered by low-lying clouds causing visibility to drop too low for the private jet.
"The jet failed to land at Silangit airport due to bad weather," Siburian said.
Initially, the airport`s traffic controller suggested to the plane`s pilot to circle around over the area to find a more suitable landing approach.
However, the pilot was concerned that the plane would run out of fuel and therefore decided to abort his landing schedule at Silangit airport.
Hatta was scheduled to open the four-day Lake Toba Festival which was also to be attended by other government officials such as the Creative Tourism and Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu.
A number of officials from the North Sumatra provincial, district and city also the Danau Toba Festival organizing committee had been waiting for Hatta`s arrival at the airport.
"There were many officials waiting to welcome the minister, but I can`t remember their names," Siburian said.
Eventually, the minister`s private jet did not head to Medan`s Polonia airport but to Palembang, South Sumatra.
(Uu.A050/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
