Papua's Bilorai Airport Concerns, Police Chief Intan Jaya Reveals No Airnav Officer Until Hole In Runway

Intan Jaya Police Chief, AKBP Sandi Sultan pointed to a hole in the runway of Papua's Bilorai Airport. (Ist)

PAPUA - The condition of Bilorai Sugapa Airport in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua is concerning. The reason is, there are no officers or employees at the airport who regulate flights.

This concern was expressed by the Intan Jaya Police Chief, AKBP Sandi Sultan. According to Sandi, the ones who maintain and operate the airport are the TNI and Polri.

"I am very concerned, I am very concerned. I have said this several times and repeatedly. For about 6 months, the staff or airport head in this case is responsible for the airport and Airnav is in charge of airline flights entering Bilorai airport in Intan Regency. Jaya has not carried out his duties so far," said Sandi in a written statement, Tuesday, March 15.

The unfit condition of Bilorai Sugapa Airport was the trigger for the recent skidding incident. Sandi suspects that the incident could be the result of the aircraft tires or runway not being maximized during its construction.

The Spirit Avia Sentosa (SAS) aircraft with the number PK-FSW skidded at Bilorai Sugapa Airport on Monday, February 28, at around 08.37 WIT. The reason was that the plane flying from Moses Kilangin Airport in Timika, Mimika had a tire burst.

The plane driven by Captain Alion Belau and FO Irela Yudiasto carried six passengers, namely Fonataba, Damianus, Muskana, Jhon Pigau, Haruu and Darkon.

"I would like to see if this runway has a leak or a hole and is very dangerous for aircraft flights, both the aircraft itself and the public as passengers," he said.

Sandi said that because there were no officers or employees, Bilorai Sugapa Airport was operated by the Indonesian Air Force Paskhas, the Preventiv Task Force, and the TNI 521.

"This is what is currently guarding, securing activities at the airport, all aviation community activities are secured by the TNI-Polri. How long will it be like this. I convey to airport and Airnav employees, you are paid by the state. Your main task is to carry out well at Intan Jaya, " he said.

Sandi emphasized that it is not the duty of the TNI-Polri to maintain or operate the airport. "Our job is to serve, protect, protect the community and maintain security and support government activities in development, that's our job, not guarding the airport," he said.

Through a video received by the VOI editor, Sandi was seen walking around and showing the hole in the Bilorai Sugapa Airport runway.

"This can be fatal for the plane, slipping due to this (hole, ed). The tire burst, the tire is loose or the tire support is not strong enough to break. The plane can slip and explode and result in fatalities," he said.