Loke: Airlines must take precautionary measures if certain airspaces are risky
"There were indeed several affected flights, and I was informed that a Batik Air flight to Dubai had to turn back when it reached the Indian Ocean due to the airspace closure.
"Affected airlines must implement mitigation measures such as providing accommodation and other necessary arrangements for passengers while waiting for the airspace to reopen," he told reporters after the launch of the Transport Expo Asia (TXA) 2025 exhibition and conference.
Also present were Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan.
Loke said the sudden airspace closure had not only affected local flights but also impacted foreign carriers, with a Notice to Airmen already issued.
"Our position is that airlines must take precautionary steps if there are any risks.
"If the airspace is closed, flights to the affected area cannot proceed and must either be turned back or cancelled," he said.
Earlier, it was reported that at least 61 pilgrims were stranded for more than four hours at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after their flight to Jeddah was cancelled at the last minute.
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