Indonesian Singer Stranded in Switzerland Due to Volcanic Ash Airport Closure

Indonesian musician Katon Bagaskara has found himself stranded at Geneva International Airport in Switzerland, unable to proceed with his travel plans. In a social media post, Bagaskara expressed his plight after being denied check-in by Etihad Airways, citing concerns over his transit visa for Abu Dhabi. The situation is exacerbated by the closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, due to volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. This closure disrupted Bagaskara's original itinerary, which involved transiting through Abu Dhabi before returning to Jakarta. "Hello guys, I want to let you know I'm stranded at Geneva Airport. I was supposed to depart for Abu Dhabi, transit there, and then head to Cengkareng," Bagaskara stated in his social media update on Monday (7/9). He further explained, "But Etihad refused to let me depart, possibly due to concerns that I might cause trouble or not obtain a transit visa in Abu Dhabi." Bagaskara revealed that he is in contact with the Indonesian Embassies in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, hoping for a swift resolution. "Hopefully, there will be a solution soon, as Etihad itself is still evading responsibility and not providing any updates. They told us to wait for an hour," he added. Adding to the confusion, Bagaskara noted that the airline's website still indicated normal flight operations for the day, a stark contrast to the situation at the airport. "Please, friends who have connections at Etihad Indonesia, please help. What should I do? Will my ticket be void? I also need to extend my Swiss visa, which requires proof to get a solution. PLEASE, FRIENDS, HELP ME," he pleaded. Bagaskara had been in Switzerland since late August for a performance on August 30th at Musikschule Konservatorium in Bern. He had also been sharing his activities and meetings with fellow musicians in various Swiss cities on his social media. Prior to his trip to Switzerland, Katon Bagaskara and his band KLa Project performed at the successful Prambanan Jazz Festival in early July.