Puncak Festival Balong Udara Di Wonosobo: Kemenhub Wanti-wanti Pengerbang Liar Didenda Rp500 Juta

The hot air balloon festival which is regularly held in Wonosobo, Central Java in Syawal. (Special)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) supports the holding of a hot air balloon festival in the Wonosobo Square square, Central Java today. The hot air balloon festival is routinely held every year.

"The Air Balloon Festival which takes place in Syawal is indeed held every year by the Wonosobo Regency Government to preserve the cultural traditions of the community, but we also regulate the implementation and supervision of this festival," said Capt Aviation Navigation Director Sigit Hani Hadiyanto in an official statement, Sunday, April 21.

Sigit said this event is also a form of socialization of the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number PM 40 of 2018 concerning the Use of Air Balloons at Community Cultural Activities.

"Our supervision is carried out through the Aviation Navigation Inspector and the Surabaya Regional III Airport Authority Office in synergy with AirNav Indonesia and the police to ensure that the implementation of the air balloon festival is in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.

Furthermore, he explained, synergies with various parties were carried out so that this festival could become a forum for the air balloon community, in addition to preserving tradition but still complying with aviation safety rules.

"The peak event that presents 53 hot air balloon communities and is the final round of the competition that has been held previously from various places in Wonosobo Regency since D+1 Eid, namely on April 11, 2024," he said.

Sigit emphasized that wild air balloons are very dangerous, because they can reach the plane's flying altitude.

"Balon has the potential to enter the aircraft engine or cover parts of the aircraft that can threaten flight safety," said Sigit.

Furthermore, Sigit regretted that there were still many reports and findings of people flying hot air balloons wildly. Therefore, he said that awareness and synergy were needed in carrying out massive control.

"We cannot work alone, the public must also have awareness of the dangers and sanctions if flying balloons wildly," he said.

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 IDR 500,000,000.

"For this reason, if it is introduced in forms of violations that can endanger flight safety, it will be given sanctions so that a deterrent effect arises," he said.

Regarding clay flights, Sigit admitted that he is committed to continuing to disseminate information and education to the public, as well as encouraging all parties to jointly maintain flight safety.

"Not only aimed at reducing wild air balloons, this festival is also expected to improve the economy of the surrounding area, especially in Wonosobo Regency and its surroundings," he explained.