Repair Of Runway Completed, Operational Sorong DEO Airport Returns To Operation

Repair of the runway (runway) of Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong, Southwest Papu, Sunday (11/8/2024). BETWEEN/HO-Humas Ministry of Transportation

JAKARTA - Domine Eduard Osok Airport (DEO) Sorong in Southwest Papua has completed repairs due to runway damage (runway).

The Head of the Cece Tarya DEO Airport Administrators Unit has started to resume operations after the handling.

"The DEO airport experienced operational disruption on Sunday (11/8) at 08.30 WIT due to damage to the runway. (But at 14.30 WIT the airport returned to normal operations," he said in a statement, Monday, August 12, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the chronology of the incident began when the Pelita Air pilot reported a runway damage to the Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Based on the report, the Building and Land Team (Bangland) of DEO Airport then checked and found the damage.

Cece also apologized for the inconvenience caused by this operational disruption. He deeply regrets the incident of runway damage at DEO Airport.

However, Cece emphasized that flight safety and security are top priorities, so that it has instructed the relevant team to immediately conduct a thorough investigation and take the necessary corrective steps.

"This is a lesson and ensures that the same thing does not happen again," said Cece.

As an emergency measure, Cece continued, the airport immediately issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing the runway and cleaning the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) in damaged areas.

The technical team immediately coordinated with various related parties, including AirNav Indonesia, implementing contractors, consultants, and the Airport Directorate (DBU) to make improvements.

"Given the damage that occurred, several steps were taken to improve and evaluate. All overlay work that had been done yesterday would be dismantled again to ensure the quality of repairs and prevent similar damage in the future," he said.

Furthermore, Cece said that overlay work will not be allowed to continue until it is confirmed that there will be no rain during the work process. Supporting weather conditions are very important to ensure optimal improvement results.

In addition, the work permit process will be thoroughly evaluated, especially related to the implementation of work in the midst of difficult weather conditions.

"The evaluation will also be carried out on the workers involved, especially related to neglecting the correct drying procedure after it rains and not checking the weather coat conditions after it rains before starting work," he added.

Cece emphasized the importance of a thorough evaluation of the incident. The closure of the DEO Airport runway resulted in a number of flights experiencing delays and diversions. The affected flights were 10 departures and 12 arrivals to and from Sorong.

"We have collaborated with all stakeholders in overcoming problems like this. I appreciate the coordination that has been carried out between airports, AirNav Indonesia, contractors, consultants, and the Airport Directorate. Let's continue to work together to improve the quality of flight services in Indonesia," said Cece.