Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria has cancelled her remaining programme in Jakarta. Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has caused major flight disruption across western Indonesia.
Victoria had planned to meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, September 8. She also planned to open the Sweden-Indonesia Sustainability Partnership Business Forum, as previously reported by ScandAsia.
However, the Swedish Royal Court has now changed her travel plans.
“The programme items that were planned in Jakarta are unfortunately cancelled for the Crown Princess,” Margareta Thorgren told Swedish news agency TT. Thorgren heads the Information Department at the Swedish Royal Court.
Victoria returns home via Bali
Victoria and her group of around ten people will return home via Bali. The court wants to reduce the risk of delays in Jakarta.
Further delays could prevent the group from reaching King Harald’s funeral in Oslo on Wednesday.
The decision follows several days of travel disruption in Indonesia. Eight airports initially stopped flights because of volcanic ash. The disruption affected 2,961 flights and around 341,000 passengers.
Jakarta’s main Soekarno-Hatta Airport and four other airports have since reopened. However, airlines still face delays, and two airports remain closed.
Swedish business delegation continues
The change ends Victoria’s programme in Indonesia earlier than planned. Before leaving, she completed several scheduled visits.
On Gili Meno, she learned about a new insurance project for coral reefs. The project aims to protect reefs and local communities from climate-related damage.
Business Sweden has not announced any cancellation of its delegation or the business forum. The change only concerns Victoria and her remaining events in Jakarta.
Business Sweden’s delegation plans to stay in Indonesia until September 10. More than 50 companies and Team Sweden organisations have joined the visit.
The programme covers digital technology, energy, mining, healthcare, forestry and transport.
Sources: TT via Sweden Herald, Reuters and Business Sweden
