REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANADO -- PT Angkasa Pura I Sam Ratulangi Airport was closed at 07:30 pm Tuesday (5/2) to 06.00 am Wednesday (6/2) because of volcanic ashes from Mount Soputan.
"Sam Ratulangi Airport Management deems it necessary to close the airport, because the volcanic ashes from Mount Soputan harm the flight," said General Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Sam Ratulangi Airport, Halendra Waworuntu, in Manado.
He added, this was because the ashes from the eruption of Mount Soputan has entered the flight area, so that it endangered the flight. This was done for the sake of flight safety and security.
"Furthermore, we will monitor the last condition," he said.
According to him, there were seven delayed flight. Among others, Citilink IG-951 Manado-Jakarta, Lion Air JT 740 Makassar-Manado, Lion Air JT 770 Jakarta-Manado, Lion Air JT-730 Balikpapan-Manado, Lion Air JT-926 Denpasar-Manado.
In addition, Garuda Indonesia GA 606 Jakarta-Manado and GA 470 Manado-Sorong-Jayapura also delayed. The ashes had reached height of 40 thousand feet.
"We have reported to Control Center Area (ACC) Makassar, because the height is one favorite line of flight from Australia to Asia and from Asia to Australia," he explained.
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