Jakarta (ANTARA) -
Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation temporarily shut down the Adi Sumarmo International Airport in Solo, Central Java, after Mount Merapi erupted at 5:33 a.m. local time.

AirNav Indonesia has issued Ashtam Number VAWR 9293 and a notice to airman concerning the airport’s temporary closure to offer guidance to pilots passing through the eruption area of Mount Merapi.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will constantly monitor developments in connection with Mt Merapi’s activities to ensure flight safety, Director General of Civil Aviation Novie Riyanto noted in a statement here on Tuesday.

"We will continue to monitor developments. Only Solo Airport is affected in connection with the flights that have been suspended. However, we have diverted flights to areas not affected by the eruption," Riyanto added.

Based on data from Ashtam VAWR 9293 released by AirNav Indonesia, the Mount Merapi eruption was recorded at an amplitude of 75millimeters and a duration of 450 seconds. The eruption produced an ash column as high as +/- 6,000 m, with movement of 15 knots to the east and 10 knots to the southwest.

Meanwhile, The Notice to Airman on Solo Airport’s Aerodrome Closure informed of the airport being closed at 9:25 a.m. local time and will be updated again at 11:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

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Translator: Juwita TR, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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