Sam Ratulangi Airport Will Be Opened If Clean Air From Volcanic Ash Of Mount Ruang

Photo: Antara

PT Angkasa Pura I Manado Airport (Samrat) ensures that the 'airside' or air side is clean from volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Ruang, Tagulandang, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi (Sulut).

"The impact of volcanic ash itself has begun to decline at Sam Ratulangi Airport, but Angkasa Pura is still visible," said GM Manado Airport Maya Damayanti, quoted from Antara, Sunday, May 5.

He said cleaning of volcanic ash at Samrat Airport, apart from AP 1, was also assisted by several external parties such as the Indonesian Air Force, Navy, and the police as well as firefighters from the City Government, Provincial Government, Bitung City Government, Tomohon, Minut Regency Government.

"Thank you for helping in spraying and cleaning volcanic ash," he said.

He said that morning until evening everyone worked hard in cleaning up this volcanic ash, but this was certainly not in vain because currently the air space according to the results of the BMKG and PVMBG had also been seen moving away from Sam Ratulangi Airport.

The results of coordination with several agencies, namely Angkasa Pura I, Otban region 8, airlines, Airnav Indonesia, Indonesian Air Force, Navy, Regional Police and others decided to extend Notam again with the number: A1203/24 NOTAMR A1192/24 to 10.00 WITA tomorrow, to ensure that air side facilities (Runway, apron and taxiway) are already Clear and Clean' for landing or aircraft takeoffs.

The joint decision to close the airport is until 10:00 WITA, Sunday (May 5) morning or 16 hours from the last Notam time.

"The joint decision is that tomorrow at 10 am, the airport will be opened for the operation of Sam Ratulangi Airport with a record condition of ash and air space clean from volcanic ash", said Maya.

Samrat Airport Public Relations Yanti Pramono said the impact of the closure of Sam Ratulangi Airport operations until the 5th day was 127 aircraft and 13,760 passengers were affected.

However, he said, tomorrow the flight will open several planes ready to be flown, starting from Lion with a total of 20 planes, Garuda with 4 planes and 6 planes from Transnusa as well as several from Citylink arrival and departure.