Pertamina ensures avtur supply to maintain air connectivity in Labuan Bajo

PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has secured aviation fuel (avtur) supplies to maintain air connectivity at Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, following the earthquake on 15 August.

VP Corporate Communication of Pertamina Patra Niaga, Kitty Andhora, said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the earthquake also affected the avtur distribution route to the Komodo Labuan Bajo Aviation Fuel Terminal, both from the main Fuel Terminal Reo route and the alternative route from Fuel Terminal Ende.

“To maintain supply continuity, Pertamina Patra Niaga is implementing an emergency supply pattern from Integrated Terminal Bima,” she said.

Shipments from Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, to Labuan Bajo use tanker trucks or avtur bridgers via sea routes, which takes longer than under normal conditions.

Kitty said the effort is being made to ensure aviation energy needs remain served amid distribution routes that have not fully recovered.

Various alternative supply schemes have been prepared to maintain air connectivity.

“In a post-disaster situation, air connectivity greatly supports the movement of aid, humanitarian personnel, search and rescue, disaster management, and commercial flights. For this reason, we immediately prepared an alternative supply pattern so that avtur services in Labuan Bajo continue to operate while the main supply route is under recovery,” she explained.

In addition, Kitty continued, Pertamina Patra Niaga is also strengthening synergy with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to anticipate avtur needs for flights to Labuan Bajo.

Supply is being optimised through additional avtur refuelling volumes at departure airports as well as the use of alternative airports in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara; Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara; and Denpasar, Bali, according to operational needs.

“Synergy with various parties continues to be strengthened during this recovery period. We carefully manage avtur needs in line with flight operational conditions, including optimising refuelling from departure airports and alternative airports,” she said.

Kitty added that Pertamina Patra Niaga continues to monitor avtur supply and stock in Labuan Bajo and surrounding airports.

“This arrangement will continue to be adjusted during the recovery period so that flight needs can still be served until the distribution route to Komodo Airport Labuan Bajo returns to normal,” she said.