JAKARTA - Wings Air canceled flights to the Kupang-Lewoleba-Kupang route due to the eruption of Ile Lewotolok Volcano in Lembata Regency, NTT.
"This decision is in accordance with an official notification from the aviation authority stating that the Ile Lewotolok Volcano in Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province is reported to have experienced an eruption," said Corporate Communications Strategic of Wings Air Danang Mandala Prihantoro, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 4.
Danang said flight safety and security were the main priority of Wings Air. Flight cancellations are carried out to avoid the safety and security risks of passengers and crew.
Wings Air also provides solutions to prospective passengers who are affected, including refunding ticket booking funds or changing flight schedules based on applicable procedures and regulations.
He said Wings Air would continue to monitor the situation carefully and coordinate with aviation authorities, airport managers and other relevant parties to ensure safety and security.
"If after an evaluation by the aviation authority and airlines it is stated that the destination airport is safe and not disturbed by volcanic eruptions, flight operations can be continued as usual," said Danang.
Danang explained that the impact of volcanic eruptions and ash could endanger flights because volcanic ash has a very different nature from dust or other particles commonly found in the atmosphere.
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First, volcanic ash particles are very small and have a high density so they can stick to the glass surface and inhibit vision from the cockpit of the aircraft.
"In addition, these particles can also clog aircraft engines and gas disposal systems, cause engine damage and turn off aircraft engines," he said.
Then, volcanic ash particles consist of various minerals, including silica that can melt and stick to the aircraft engine turbine. It can interfere with engine performance and cause damage to the engine components.
Furthermore, volcanic ash particles can inhibit visibility and affect the pilot's vision (vision distance) because of the light being diffracted and dissipated by volcanic ash and affect aircraft navigation and communication by giving rise to interference in radio signals.
Then the aircraft's radar cannot detect volcanic ash particles so the aircraft must avoid visible or estimated volcanic ash areas.
Therefore, Danang said flights could be dangerous if there was a volcanic eruption or volcanic ash in the area passed by by the plane. The destination airport and flight routes to the destination airport are ensured to be clean from the impact of the eruption.
"In supporting aviation safety and security, aviation authorities and airlines always pay attention to environmental conditions before deciding to fly and take precautions such as canceling flights or changing lanes.
"flight to keep passengers and crew safe and safe from danger," he said.
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