Continue To Monitor The Impact Of Mount Semeru Eruptions At Several Airports, The Ministry Of Transportation And The Information Technology I-WISH

Banyuwangi Airport is one of the airports that has received attention regarding the impact of the eruption of Mount Semeru. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Transportation)

JAKARTA - Although flight operations at several airports have been operating normally since the eruption of Mount Semeru that occurred on Sunday, December 4, the Ministry of Transportation continues to coordinate and monitor intensively regarding the latest developments in information. The goal is to ensure flight safety and security at the nearest airport.

One of the efforts made by the Ministry of Transportation is to build a web-based information technology system in the provision of integrated aeronautical information through the Integrated Webbased aeronautical Information System Handling (I-WISH) as outlined in the Decree of the Director General of Air Transportation Number KP 153 of 2019. "Yesterday, we immediately coordinated with Abdulrachman Saleh Airport, Banyuwangi Airport, and Juanda Airport after the news of the eruption of Mount Semeru. From the information received, the flight is still running normally," said Directorate General of Civil Aviation (Ditjen Hubud) Nur Isnin Isstiartono in his statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 6. In this I-WISH system, said Nur Isnin, the Ministry of Transportation involves several stakeholders such as AirNav Indonesia, Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Airport Authority Office, Air Transport Business Agency/Airlines, Airport Business Entity and Airport Administration.

"That way, each party can convey all information in terms of handling volcanic ash or better known as Collaborative Decision Making (CDM)," said Isnin.

On the other hand, through information from Ash Notice to Airme (Ashtam) published by AirNav Indonesia on December 4, 2022 at 06.40 WIB, it was informed that the distribution of Mount Semeru's volcanic ash was heading to the southwest at a speed of 20 knots. Therefore, several airports above need intensive monitoring. "Especially Abdulrachman Saleh Malang Airport was indeed affected by volcanic ash, but not until it made the airport closed, flight operations continued to run normally. We will continue to monitor intensively and prepare mitigation measures according to the rules," explained Nur Isnin. Then, Nur Isnin appealed to the Airport Authority Office Region III Surabaya and related stakeholders to remain alert and monitor the development of the latest information after the eruption of Mount Semeru to ensure flight safety and security. "Especially Abdulrachman Saleh Malang Airport was indeed affected by volcanic ash, but it did not make the airport shut down. We will continue to carry out intensive monitoring and prepare mitigation measures according to the rules," he said.