Bogor, W Java (ANTARA News) - Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Thursday as they had not been informed that Batavia Airlines had been declared bankrupt.

"Batavia Airlines did not inform us that the flight had been cancelled," said Wiwik Istamaroh, one of the stranded passengers, on Thursday.

When Wiwik went to the Batavia counter at the airport, she was told that Batavia Airlines had been declared bankrupt and that passengers had to look into other travel options.

"I did not know what to do. The Batavia office was closed and many passengers were waiting for an explanation from Batavia," she said.

Wiwik was not the only passenger who was confused. Many passengers had become panicky.

"We should have been informed several days before our departure so that we can look into other travel plans," said Silvia, another passenger.

Silvia was confused because she had booked two-way tickets for three people.

Batavia Airlines had been declared bankrupt by the Central Jakarta District Court. The International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) had sent a request to the court with regard to the bankruptcy.

"Batavia Airlines is bankrupt," said Presiding Judge Agus Iskandar as he read the district court verdict on Wednesday.

He said Batavia Airlines had met the requirements of Law No. 37/2004 on bankruptcy.

"Batavia Airlines had met the requirements of Law No. 37/2004 on bankruptcy. Hence, Batavia Airlines has been declared bankrupt," said the Presiding Judge.

The IFLR had filed a request for the bankruptcy of Batavia Airlines because the airlines had not been able to pay its debts amounting to US$4.68 million, which were due on December 31, 2012.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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