BIJB Kertajati: Optimal service to receive diverted Soetta flights
West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati in Majalengka Regency, West Java, has ensured that services remain optimal when receiving diverted flights from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which was affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
Executive General Manager (EGM) of BIJB Kertajati, Nuril Huda, said in Majalengka on Sunday that the readiness was undertaken after Soekarno-Hatta Airport experienced a temporary closure due to the volcanic ash impact.
“A few days ago there was an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau which caused volcanic ash to be released and resulted in Soekarno-Hatta Airport being affected,” he said.
He explained that BIJB had made preparations since the early hours, after learning of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
“Because Kertajati Airport is also an alternative airport to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, we have prepared everything,” he said.
The preparations, he said, included checking facilities and personnel readiness to anticipate any flights being diverted to BIJB Kertajati.
In addition, the airport management conducted paper tests in the runway area, apron, and several designated points to ensure the airport conditions were safe from volcanic ash.
“Tests related to ash on the runway, on the apron, and also at designated points to ensure that it is not volcanic ash,” he said.
He said the results of the tests showed that BIJB Kertajati was negative for volcanic ash, meaning it remained safe for use as an aircraft landing site.
The readiness, he said, was then used to serve two Garuda Indonesia flights diverted from Soekarno-Hatta Airport due to the disruption.
He said flight GA 961 from Madinah, Saudi Arabia, landed at BIJB Kertajati and blocked on at 14.25 WIB on Sunday, carrying 356 passengers, all of whom were Umrah pilgrims.
“Meanwhile, flight GA 983 from Jeddah also landed at BIJB Kertajati carrying 307 passengers, bringing the total number of passengers from the two flights to 663 people,” he said.
Nuril said the flight diversion was carried out after BIJB coordinated with Garuda Indonesia and the Ministry of Transportation.
He explained that the flights from Madinah and Jeddah were diverted because both aircraft had been in the air for approximately nine hours when the NOTAM for the closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport was issued.
“In principle, we are ready to serve as an alternative to Cengkareng,” he said.
Nuril added that flight diversions could not be confirmed for the following day because natural conditions cannot be predicted, but BIJB Kertajati remains ready should it be needed again.
“If domestic flights are needed, we are also ready,” he said.