Indonesia suspends six airports amid Anak Krakatau ash spreads

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2 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry temporarily suspended operations at six domestic and international airports after an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau sent a volcanic ash plume into the air, the ministry said on Sunday.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said in Jakarta that the suspension followed an official assessment by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicating that the spread of volcanic ash had affected airspace safety.

The decision to suspend airport operations was made after an assessment of the latest conditions to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew, he said during a virtual press conference.

The ministry initially suspended operations at five airports in the Greater Jakarta and Lampung regions, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, and Budiarto Airport in Curug.

A subsequent assessment at 12:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) showed that volcanic ash had spread toward West Java, prompting authorities to add Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung to the list of affected airports.

“Based on information obtained from atmospheric testing at 12:00 WIB, Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung was also impacted. Consequently, we declared Husein Sastranegara Airport closed to all flight operations as of 12:00 WIB,” Dudy said.

To manage the situation, the ministry is maintaining real-time coordination with key aviation and disaster-mitigation stakeholders, including the BMKG, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), state air navigation provider AirNav Indonesia, airport operators, and commercial airlines.

Dudy emphasized that updates on volcanic activity would be continuously disseminated to allow operators to adjust ground and flight procedures accordingly.

The minister also instructed all commercial airlines to prioritize passenger safety over scheduling commitments and refrain from operating until authorities officially declare conditions safe.

Flight operations at the affected airports will resume once joint monitoring by the relevant stakeholders confirms that the surrounding airspace is safe for navigation.