The emergency maritime transport will ferry any tourists who are unable to travel by airplane following the eruption of the volcano, which has been spewing ash since Tuesday evening, disrupting air travel.
Director general of sea transportation at the ministry, Muhammad Masyhud, said here on Wednesday that the ministry is coordinating with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) to ensure the safety of the people.
“Our team has been in communication with Forkopimda and is ready to support this initiative,” he added.
He said that his side will continue to monitor the situation and is prepared to deploy additional support, if needed, to ensure transportation activities continue during the emergency period.
“Currently, we are focusing on our own preparation (of the maritime fleet),” Masyhud added.
Meanwhile, head of the Regional IV Airport Authority, Cecep Kurniawan, said that three airports have suspended operations after the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
They are Soa Airport in Bajawa, which will remain closed until Wednesday evening; Fransiskus Xaverius Seda Airport in Maumere, which will remain closed until Thursday morning; and, Haji Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende, which will be shut until Thursday morning.
According to Kurniawan, 26 flight routes have been impacted by the eruption, including 12 international flights and 14 domestic flights, affecting over 14 thousand passengers in total.
“The hardest-hit airports include the ones in Denpasar with 10,560 affected passengers, Labuan Bajo with 2,166 passengers, Lombok with 772 passengers, and Maumere with 451 passengers,” he said.
Other affected airports include those in Kupang, Bajawa, Ende, and Sabu.
“We are currently coordinating to ensure the redirection of flights, refunds, and rescheduling for affected passengers,” Kurniawan added.
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Reporter: Muhammad Harianto, Uyu Liman
Editor: Primayanti
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