Mount Semeru Eruption Spewing Ash Rain, Surabaya-Malang Airport Flights Operate Normally

PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation has ensured that flight operations at Abdulrachman Saleh Airport in Malang and Juanda International Airport in Surabaya will continue to operate normally after the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang Regency, East Java.

Director-General of Civil Aviation Novie Riyanto said his party would continue to carry out intensive monitoring involving the Indonesian Aviation Navigation Service Provider Perum (Perum LPPNPI) or AirNav Indonesia, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and Airport Operators.

"We will continue to monitor the development of the eruption of Mount Semeru. For flights at Abdulrachman Saleh Airport in Malang, until now it is still running normally," Novie said in a statement quoted by Antara, Saturday, December 4.

Novie revealed, based on the results of monitoring on ASTHAM Perum LPPNPI sourced from VAAC Darwin which was published at 09.40 UTC (16.40 western Indonesia time), it was informed that the distribution of volcanic ash from Mount Semeru was heading to the southwest at a speed of 50 knots.

"There are no airports and ATS routes that are affected by Volcano Ash (VA). The airport in Malang is 9 NM from the VA area. Currently, flight operations continue to run normally and intensive monitoring and preparation of contingency measures will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.

Director-General Novie appealed to the Surabaya Regional III Airport Authority Office and all aviation stakeholders to continue to monitor the latest information, and ensure flight safety and security after the eruption of Mount Semeru.

"We still have to be aware of the impact of volcanic ash. Continue to improve coordination and be alert to the development of Mount Semeru's eruptive activity that could potentially affect flight operational activities," he said.

For information, regarding the eruption of Mount Semeru, AirNav Indonesia has issued Ashtam of Semeru Volcano with VAWR Number 2170 at 16.40 western Indonesia time.