Jakarta, Feb. 19 -- The Transportation Ministry temporarily closed 11 pioneer airports in Papua as a preventive measure to ensure flight safety and airport operational security following the shooting incident that killed the pilot and co-pilot of Smart Air.

"One of our current preventive measures is to close several airports that lack adequate security to prevent undesirable incidents," Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said during a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The closures were implemented because inadequate security poses a significant risk to crews and passengers on pioneer flights.

The ministry is coordinating intensively with stakeholders to ensure opti...