Mount Merapi Spouts Ash; AirNav Indonesia Issues Warning
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27 January 2021 23:03 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned air navigation firm AirNav Indonesia in Yogyakarta issued a critical announcement for commercial pilots warning about the intensifying ash clouds from Mount Merapi, which could pose a hazard for the aviation industry.
There had been over 20 reported eruptions since Wednesday morning up until noon, January 27, 2021. "We have issued an astam for pilots related to Mount Merapi today," said Ratna Mustikaningsih, AirNav Yogyakarta general manager on January 27, 2021.
The warning strongly suggests flights be redirected away from the potential area where the volcanic ashes would likely spread especially flights that travel to the Adisutjipto International Airport, Adisumarmo Airport, and Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA).
"However, up until 15:30 hours Western Indonesia Time (WIB), no traces of volcanic ash was found in Adisutjipto and YIA. They continue to operate as usual," said Mustikaningsih.
The Adisutjipto Airport general manager, Pandu Purnama, said that the airport he leads have seen no traces of volcanic ash and says that Mount Merapi’s ash clouds were heading northwest and traveling at speeds of 15 knots. He predicts that the winds might change 20 knots to the northeast region.
PRIBADI WICAKSONO
