Transportation Ministry Issues Warning as Two Mountains Erupt
21 May 2017 15:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Ministry’s director general for air transportation Agus Santoso warned a number of airlines to be cautious on the spread of volcanic ash from mountain eruption. This warning was issued due to the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatera and Mount Dukono in Halmahera Island, North Maluku.
“The fine dust of volcanic ashes can be sucked into the plane engine and cause the engine to break down or get burned,” Agus said in Jakarta on Saturday (20/5). Volcanic ashes, Agus said, can also limit visibility and disrupt the flight.
He urged air lines to prioritize the safety of their flights. He also asked pilots to coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to inform them safe airways/ATS route from the volcanic ashes.
Transportation Ministry, he said, will not tolerate any possibilities that will jeopardize flight safety. "We always apply zero tolerance principle for the interest of passengers and the safety of flights,” he added.
ARKHELAUS
