Finnish measurement technology company Vaisala has signed a EUR 25 million contract (approximately USD 27 million) with Indonesia’s Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) to upgrade weather systems at fourteen Indonesian airports. This is Vaisala’s largest aviation project to date, aimed at improving safety and weather resilience in a country prone to severe tropical weather.
The project, funded through Finland’s Public Sector Investment Facility (PIF), supports initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Scheduled to start in 2025, the project will run for three years. Vaisala will install its AviMet Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at eight airports, while four others will receive wind shear alert systems that combine X-band weather radars and wind lidars.
In addition, the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s SILAM model will be introduced to track volcanic ash clouds, a crucial addition for Indonesia, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire with approximately 80 active volcanoes. This system will enhance aviation safety by monitoring ash movements from volcanic eruptions.
As Indonesia’s aviation market grows, upgrading airport infrastructure is seen as critical for long-term stability. Major airports such as Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta, Bali Ngurah Rai, and Surabaya Juanda are among the key hubs that will benefit from these enhanced weather systems, helping to improve flight safety for both passengers and ground personnel.
(Soruce: Regional Gateway)
