An Australian low-cost airline Jetstar flight bound for the Indonesian island of Bali had to turn around Wednesday in mid-flight and return to Melbourne (Australia) because of the confusion created by not having previously informed the Indonesian air traffic controllers of the change of aircraft model.
In a statement, the airline explained that they changed their usual aircraft, an Airbus A321, for a Boeing 787 because it had more capacity to carry tourists to Bali on vacation, but “due to an internal communication failure” they did not inform Indonesia.
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“As soon as we became aware, the flight returned to Melbourne, and we have accommodated the passengers on another flight later,” the airline said.
It is unclear whether the plane turned around when Indonesian controllers denied it permission to land in Bali or whether it returned to Melbourne earlier.
“We have begun reviewing how the communication failure occurred to prevent it happening again,” said Jetstar, which compensated affected travelers with meal vouchers, hotel rooms and redeemable flight vouchers of A$200 ($135 or 127 euros).
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