Indonesian politician blocks runway in air rage outburst

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/indonesian-politician/932252.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

An Indonesian district chief got revenge on an airline that refused to let him board a full flight by sending officials to block the runway and stop the plane from landing, authorities said Monday.

Marianus Sae, head of Ngada district in the eastern island of Flores, wanted to get home quickly to Ngada from the city of Kupang on Timor island so that he could attend a meeting.

But state-owned Merpati Nusantara airlines refused to sell him a ticket for a flight to Turelelo Soa airport early on Saturday because it was full.

So the infuriated district chief ordered public order officers to drive cars onto the runway and stop the plane from landing, media reports said.

The handful of staff at the airport could not stop the blockade and the airport remained shut for several hours, officials said.

Merpati spokesman Riswanto Chendra Putra confirmed the plane was forced to turn back due to the blockade.

Transport ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan said the district chief had "tarnished the reputation of the aviation industry" but he added that the ministry had no plans to take legal action, as such matters were the responsibility of the police.