Ministry Of Transportation Calls The Air Balloon Festival Only Allowable In Wonosobo And Pekalongan

Hot Air Balloon Festival (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation asked the public to comply with the rules related to hot air balloons. Where the Air Balloon Festival is only allowed in two locations, namely Wonosobo and Pekalongan.

The regulation is in accordance with the direction of the Minister of Transportation when chairing the Coordination Meeting for Preparation for Eid Transportation in 2024/1445 Hijriah, at the Central Java Police Office, Semarang, Sunday, March 31 yesterday.

The two locations are permitted because they are in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number PM 40 of 2018 concerning the Use of Air Balloons at Community Cultural Activities and have applied for a permit for the implementation of activities.

Direktur Jenderal Perhubungan Udara M. Kristi Endah Murni menyampaikan tradisi tahunan masyarakat melimbangkan balahan udara saat menyambut Hari Raya Idulfitri memang perlu ditertibkan. Pasalnya, balon yang dibungul secara liar sangat membahayakan aktivitas penerbangan terutama masalah keselamatan.

"Every year during Syawalan, we always get reports from pilots flying in the airways of Central Java and East Java that they have seen air balloons passing at high altitudes which are aircraft traffic lanes, and this is very dangerous for flight safety," he said in an official statement, Monday, April 1.

According to Kristi, people need to imagine and know that air balloons that fly freely to the cruising altitude of the plane are very dangerous.

The air candidate can enter the aircraft engine or close the glass or the front window of the plane so as to block the pilot's view. Don't play games, there are many lives at stake, of course we don't want anything bad to happen," he explained.

As stipulated in Article 411 of Law Number 1 of 2009 concerning Aviation, anyone who endangers the safety of aircraft, passengers and goods, and/or residents or harms other people's property will be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of two years and a maximum fine of Rp. 500,000,000.

"If it is introduced to forms of violations that can endanger flight safety, as mandated by Law No.1 of 2009, then we are ready to support law enforcement without exception, so that a deterrent effect arises for the community and are aware of the dangers posed," he said.

"The Minister of Transportation has also asked the ranks of the Central Java Police to enforce these criminal rules," continued Kristi.

For this reason, Kristi continued, it is necessary to give a massive understanding to the community by various parties, so that people are aware of the dangers caused if they fly hot hot air balloons wildly.

"The organization of this moored air balloon festival is a solution for the preservation of cultural traditions, as well as providing education and examples to the public about how to fly controlled hot air balloons and not endanger flight safety," he said.

Kristi said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through the Surabaya Regional Airport Authority Office III in collaboration with AirNav Indonesia, local governments and the police will continue to disseminate PM 40 of 2018 and urge the public to carry out these traditions based on applicable regulations.

"This rule is also used as one of the assessment criteria at this festival," he explained.

In accordance with the Ministerial Regulation (PM) there are several provisions that must be obeyed, such as:

1. The diameter of the balloon is a maximum of 4 meters.

2. The maximum balloon height is 7 meters.

3. Maximum altitude of 150 meters above ground level.

4. Have a minimum of 3 moorings.

5. Not equipped with equipment with fire-containing materials, easy to explode.

The PM also regulates the location of the festival, which is in the form of land without obstacles to trees, settlements, power lines, or refueling stations and is quite far from the airport.

"We hope that public awareness will grow and there will be no more findings of air balloons flying freely and wildly. Take advantage of festivals in Wonosobo and Pekalongan, let's together preserve traditions without endangering flight safety," he said.