Indonesia Prioritizes Flight Safety amid Krakatau Eruption

RRI.CO.ID, Banten — Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has emphasized that public safety and security remain the government’s top priorities in addressing the impact of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, which has disrupted transportation operations, particularly flights.

“If the ash spread is still extensive and the paper-test remains positive, we will not force the airport to reopen or allow aircraft operations to resume,” Dudy said while monitoring conditions at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday.

The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, continues to monitor Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic activity and the spread of volcanic ash, which could affect airspace and airport operations. Based on NOTAM A3348/26, Soekarno-Hatta Airport was temporarily closed on Sunday (Sept. 6) from 1:23 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time due to the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. The NOTAM replaced NOTAM A3346/26.

The temporary closures also affected Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara Airport, Budiarto Airport in Curug, Pondok Cabe Airport, Taufik Kiemas Airport, and Atung Bungsu Airport. The closures of the airports affected around 150,000 passengers, while 467 flights were disrupted, comprising 58 international flights and 409 domestic flights.

Dudy called on all airline operators to prioritize safety in every operational decision and to provide passengers with information promptly, accurately, and transparently. Airlines were also asked to immediately provide information regarding schedule changes, cancellations, or flight diversions, while ensuring that passengers’ rights are fulfilled in accordance with applicable regulations.

“We will reopen the airports only when we can ensure that the safety conditions are fully known and can be guaranteed,” Dudy said.

He said affected flights could be diverted to several other airports, including Kertajati, Semarang, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta, depending on the conditions and readiness of each airport. Dudy also urged people planning to travel through affected airports not to come to the airports during the closure period and to continue monitoring the latest information from their respective airlines regarding flight status.

Meanwhile, ferry operations along the Merak-Bakauheni route remain normal, according to monitoring by the Ministry of Transportation.

“Merak is still operating. Regarding the waves, so far there have been no reports indicating that we need to suspend operations,” Dudy said.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Transportation continues to monitor the impact of volcanic ash on the health of passengers and crew members. Ferry operations will not be forced to continue if the ash conditions are deemed to pose risks to the safety or health of passengers and crew.

The Ministry of Transportation has urged ship operators and port managers to continue implementing safety procedures and to pay close attention to weather and sea conditions, as well as the readiness of vessels and crew and services for passengers.