AirNav guarantees safe navigation services after NTT earthquake
Perum Lembaga Penyelenggara Pelayanan Navigasi Penerbangan Indonesia (LPPNPI), or AirNav Indonesia, has confirmed that all flight navigation services continue to operate optimally amid the impact of the earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (15/8).
AirNav Indonesia President Director Capt Avirianto Suratno said that based on reports from a number of affected flight navigation service facilities, AirNav has ensured that service operations under the coordination of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transportation, remain under control.
In addition, the company has also confirmed that it will support the smooth evacuation process and distribution of aid by air to and from the disaster-affected areas.
“Based on the latest reports we have gathered, the impact of the earthquake on AirNav Indonesia facilities includes the Bajawa Unit, Ruteng Unit, Ende Sub-branch, Maumere Unit, and Labuan Bajo Sub-branch. The identified damage includes cracks and damage to several parts of the tower buildings,” he explained.
He said AirNav Indonesia management is prioritising ensuring that flight navigation services can continue to be carried out optimally while maintaining safety aspects.
“Meanwhile, AirNav Indonesia facilities in Kupang, Waingapu, Tambolaka, and Denpasar are, based on temporary monitoring, in safe condition,” he said.
He said the preparedness measures were carried out through assessment of facility conditions, implementation of contingency schemes, and arrangement of services from locations deemed safe.
“Alhamdulillah, all AirNav Indonesia personnel in the affected areas have been reported to be safe. Internally, the security and safety of employees is also one of management’s priorities,” he said.
Currently, Avirianto added, inspections of building conditions, communication facilities, and flight navigation equipment are still being carried out in stages, taking into account the ongoing aftershocks in several areas.
AirNav Indonesia continues to coordinate with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Transportation, and all relevant stakeholders to maintain operational readiness and flight safety.
The flight navigation service support is an important part of maintaining air connectivity, particularly to support the evacuation of communities, mobilisation of personnel, and distribution of humanitarian aid to and from the affected areas.
In line with the disaster management measures coordinated by the government, AirNav Indonesia continues to monitor conditions on the ground and ensure flight navigation service support for emergency response and recovery needs in the affected areas.
“There is a contingency plan that we are implementing in situations like this. In line with that, developments in the condition of facilities and flight navigation services will continue to be monitored and reported periodically to the government, according to verification results and developments in the situation on the ground,” he said.
Previously, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday morning.
Based on a preliminary report received by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the earthquake affected a number of areas, especially on Flores Island, namely Nagekeo, Sikka, Manggarai, West Manggarai, and Ende Regencies.