Airlines
Trigana Air Boeing 737 Takes Gunfire from Papuan Rebels
Gunfire prompts local carriers to suspend operations to Nop Goliat Dekai Airport in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua.
Indonesian investigators inspect a Trigana Air Boeing 737-500 for gunfire damage.
Indonesian investigators inspect a Trigana Air Boeing 737-500 for gunfire damage. (Photo: Indonesian National Police)

Indonesian carriers Wings Air and Trigana Air have suspended operations to Nop Goliat Dekai Airport in Yahukimo Regency, Highland Papua, after rebel gunfire damaged a Trigana Air Boeing 737-500 carrying 66 passengers on Saturday.

According to local media reports, the 737, bearing registration PK-YSC, was on approach to Dekai runway 07/25 when four gunshots rang out. Following a successful landing and ground inspection, the aircraft performed a return flight to Papuan capital Jayapura but encountered a second round of gunfire during takeoff at around 2:06 pm eastern Indonesia time. A post-flight inspection at Jayapura Sentani Airport revealed that a bullet had struck the lower fuselage and penetrated passenger seat 7C. Photos circulating on social media showed a hole in the lower fuselage and a crack in the seat frame.

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