TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has warned Indonesian airlines to be cautious following tension in the Middle East that has reached its peak subsequent to Iran’s deployment of a rocket towards a U.S. military base. The Indonesian airlines are being asked to steer clear of routes flying through a number of Middle Eastern airspaces.

The Ministry's Director General of Air Transportation, Polana B. Pramesti, has cited the condition of airspaces in Iraq, Iran, the Persian Gulf, and the Oman Gulf, need to be aware of, given the escalating conflict within the region.

According to Polana, flights whose course were set to fly through the region has been redirected to avoid the conflict zone, including flights to and from Saudi Arabia.

“Regarding the escalating conflict within the region, all airlines are hoped to raise their carefulness and caution,” she said in a press conference on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Polana has published Director General of Air Transportation Letter No. AU.008/1/2/DRJU.DAU/2020 on January 8, 2020, on Warnings of Overflying, reminding Air Transport Business Entities (BUAU) to be careful and increase caution if traversing, or planning to traverse, across Middle Eastern airspace, such as Iraq, Iran, as well as the Persian and Oman Gulfs.

The government has ensured that regulators will constantly monitor and surveil all national airlines that provide international flights. “That is important in order to always maintain the safety, security, and the best quality of service for all passengers,” Polana said.

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