Minister confirms monitoring of port and airport handling in NTT

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has assured that the government is continuing to review and accelerate the handling of seaports and airports affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Speaking at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, the minister said that facilities at both seaports and airports can still be repaired and used.

“In NTT, thank God, the facilities, particularly the piers and airports, the sea-side port facilities or piers have not been significantly affected. On the land side, there are approximately two terminals, if I am not mistaken, that have been affected. The rest only suffered minor damage,” Dudy explained.

“As for the airports, the runway and taxiway sides are still in good condition. The terminal side has some damage, but the airport function can still serve flights. So all airports can still serve flights,” he added.

Previously, the Ministry of Transportation inspected airport and flight navigation facilities affected by the earthquake in NTT to ensure flight safety and operational smoothness.

The inspection was carried out as a mitigation measure through comprehensive monitoring of personnel facilities and flight operations in the affected areas.

The ministry stated that five airports have been reported as affected, namely Komodo-Labuan Bajo Airport, H. Hasan Aroeboesman-Ende Airport, Umbu Mehang Kunda-Waingapu Airport, Frans Sales Lega-Ruteng Airport, and Soa-Bajawa Airport.

Meanwhile, several affected ports include Laurentius Say Port, Reo Port, Nangakeo Port, and Komodo Airport.

The earthquake on 15 August caused the collapse of part of the pier and waiting room building at Laurentius Say Port. At the time of the incident, KM Bukit Siguntang was docked at the port pier. At Reo Port, there was damage to the office and terminal sections, but there were no casualties.

The earthquake also caused minor damage to a number of facilities at Nangakeo Port, ranging from collapsed ceilings to cracked walls. As a result, pioneer services were temporarily halted.