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KOMODO Airport, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is ready to serve flights to and from abroad for the smooth movement of state leaders and participants during the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
The readiness is stipulated through the Decree of the Minister of Transportation Number KM 33 of 2023. The stipulation is valid from May 2-18, 2023 and the Director General (Dirjen) of Air Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation is in charge of supervising.
“The summit will take place in the near future in Labuan Bajo, for that we need to prepare Komodo Airport facilities and infrastructure in serving international flights to support the smooth running of the event,” said Directorate General of Civil Aviation M. Kristi Endah Murni in a written statement, Wednesday (04/19).
The Ministry of Transportation mentioned several provisions that must be met by Komodo Airport organizers, namely the fulfillment of safety and security requirements and services as airports serving flights to and from abroad.
Furthermore, the availability of work units and personnel responsible for implementing customs, immigration and quarantine activities and conducting aeronautical publications in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.
For flight operational arrangements during the holding of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, a Circular Letter (SE) Number SE 6 of 2023 has also been issued which aims to ensure that the entire series of activities runs safely, orderly and smoothly and minimizes the impact of disruptions to flight services.
The Circular states that during the period of organizing the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Komodo Airport’s operating hours will operate for 24 hours. In addition, there is also a ban on staying overnight for scheduled commercial, non-scheduled commercial, and non-commercial aircraft as well as ground time restrictions and flight operation restrictions.
Kristi also appealed to airlines to reschedule regular flights that are in the range of flight operation restrictions and ensure the readiness of the fleet, crew, spare parts and other supporting personnel.
Then, ensure services to passengers both during pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight can run well. To support the smooth running of the ASEAN Summit, he said, the nearest supporting airports have also been prepared as parking lots for the delegates’ planes, namely I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Lombok Praya Airport, Sultan Hasanuddin Airport, and El Tari Airport.
A number of other supporting facilities are also being prepared, including custom, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) inspection facilities and helipad facilities for medical evacuation.
Kristi also emphasized that during the event, the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (PUTA) is prohibited, other than those that have obtained permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and related agencies for the purposes of organizing the ASEAN Summit in the airspace around Komodo Airport and other supporting airports.
“The involvement of all related parties for the success of the ASEAN Summit is certainly very necessary because it will bring Indonesia’s good name in the international eyes as well as a place to introduce tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo,” Kristi concluded. [sources/photo special]
