Manado Airport Reopens after Closure due to Mount Ruang Eruption

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport is back in operation today. The airport, located 95 kilometers from Mount Ruang, had been closed since Thursday, April 18, following the eruption of the volcano. Flights were suspended for safety reasons to avoid the spread of volcanic ash caused by the eruption.

Maya Damayanti, general manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) Sam Ratulangi Airport Manado, said that after a joint coordination meeting with the Region VIII Airport Authority, Airnav Indonesia, BMKG and airlines, the authorities decided to resume operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport as of noon local time on Monday.

The decision to resume operations at Sam Ratulangi Airport was made after Angkasa Pura I conducted a paper test that was installed at several airside points. In addition, based on the results of satellite imagery monitoring by BMKG and the Volcanology Center for Geological Disaster Mitigation, the impact of the eruption of Mount Ruang is no longer on alert status.

In a written statement on Monday, Maya also said that the airstrip was also operational. This is because rainwater has washed away the volcanic ash that has littered the runway, taxiway, and apron for several days.

At least 12 aircraft carrying 1,233 passengers have taken off from Sam Ratulangi since the airport reopened today at noon.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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