Dozens of Flights at Soetta Airport Were Displaced Due to Extreme Weather

Illustration - A number of aircraft take off on the runway of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten. (ANTARA/Azmi Samsul M)

JAKARTA - PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports) has carried out several flight diversions due to extreme weather, especially during the landing phase at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Soetta).

Assistant Deputy Communication and Legal PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia Branch Office of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Yudistiawan said the transfer was due to heavy rain accompanied by the potential for wind shear or changes in wind direction that could disrupt flight activities.

"This condition has an impact on a number of flight movements, especially during the landing phase at Soetta Airport," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, April 6.

He explained that based on data from the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC), a total of 12 flights were diverted to other airports. This was done as a step to maintain safety from flight activities at Soetta Airport.

In addition, there were 14 flights carrying out holding procedures, 13 flights carrying out around, and one flight returning to the apron (Return to Apron/RTA).

"Flight safety and security remain the top priority in every operational decision-making," he said.

He said the Soetta Airport authority is now continuing to coordinate intensively with AirNav Indonesia, airlines, and all related stakeholders to ensure that flight operations continue to run safely, orderly, and under control in the midst of less conducive weather conditions.

On the other hand, he said, the impact of this extreme weather has also damaged a number of facilities, especially on the roof of Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"This extreme weather also has an impact on disruptions at one point of the roof of the Boarding Lounge Gate 7 area of Terminal 3," he said.

Yudisme said that all airside facilities such as runways, taxiways, and aprons were ensured to be in good condition and could still operate normally without puddles that interfere with aircraft movement.

"Currently, the area is clean and the situation has returned to a conducive state, with airport operations running smoothly," he said.

A number of airport personnel for 24 hours carry out surveillance of all facilities including building infrastructure, so that when there is a possibility of interference, the area around will be sterilized from aircraft passengers and airport workers to minimize the impact.

"As a precautionary measure, airport service users are urged to always monitor the development of flight schedule information through official airline channels and information screens at the airport, and to arrive early to anticipate possible schedule adjustments due to weather conditions," he said.