House Reminds Importance of Alternative Airport After Anak Krakatau Eruptions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) TB Hasanuddin highlighted flight disruptions caused by the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau over the weekend. The eruption has affected airports, including two serving the Jakarta metropolitan areas, Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta.

He said the situation underscored the importance of Indonesia having a reliable alternative airport in emergencies. He argued that West Java International Airport Kertajati in Majalengka Regency, West Java – eastern neighbor of Jakarta, should remain an international airport, noting that it could serve as an alternative if airports in Jakarta can't operate due to certain circumstances.

"Kertajati Airport is located in the middle of West Java and can serve as a strategic alternative if the airports in Jakarta cannot be used," TB Hasanuddin said, as quoted by dpr.go.id on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Several airports closed or were disrupted due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, posing a potential risk to aviation safety. The situation also affected a number of flights to and from the impacted areas.

Volcanic ash can endanger aircraft engines because particles entering the engines can potentially interfere with their operation. Therefore, TB Hasanuddin viewed alternative airports as an important part of maintaining air connectivity when flight operations are disrupted.

“Events like this could happen again. Therefore, we must have a reliable alternative airport,” Hasanuddin said.

Against this backdrop, he called on the government to reconsider plans to utilize the airport as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub. He said Kertajati’s function should take Indonesia’s strategic interests into account, including the need to provide backup flight capacity when major airports experience disruptions.

“If it is true that there are plans to turn Kertajati into an MRO facility for the benefit of the United States, then this should certainly be reconsidered, because Indonesia’s strategic interests must be the priority,” TB Hasanuddin stressed.

The West Java International Airport is currently being prepared to become an MRO facility for C-130 Hercules in Asia. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed hope that the airport can also become a repair facility for fighter jets.