Mount Anak Krakatau Ash Extends Closure of Six Airports
- 06 Sep 2026 18:04 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang - The temporary closure of six airports has been extended until 6 p.m. Jakarta time due to the dispersal of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau on Sunday, 6 September 2026. The decision was taken after the latest inspections showed that several airports remained affected by volcanic ash.
Previously, six airports were temporarily closed from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jakarta time. The six airports are Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and Pondok Cabe Airport in Jakarta, Budiarto Airport in Curug, and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung.
Meanwhile, Kertajati Airport in West Java has not been closed, as inspection results remain negative. This condition means landing operations can still be carried out at the airport.
Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, said evaluations are continuing through paper tests and information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The inspection results form the basis for determining the continuation of operations at each affected airport.
“We have decided to extend the temporary closure of airport operations. The number has increased from an initial five to six airports,” he told reporters at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Sunday.
The addition occurred after Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung underwent inspection at around 12 p.m. Jakarta time. The paper test results indicated a positive presence of Anak Krakatau volcanic ash in the airport area.
With this development, six airports were temporarily closed from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Jakarta time. The closure was implemented as a precautionary measure, with flight safety remaining the primary consideration.
Minister Dudy said two Garuda aircraft from Madinah and Jeddah were scheduled to land at Kertajati. Both flights were carrying pilgrims returning after performing the umrah.
The extension of the closures has also renewed government attention to passenger handling. Airlines have been instructed to ensure that the rights of affected passengers are upheld during flight cancellations.
“Passengers’ right to receive refunds must be guaranteed. We are also asking airlines to advise passengers not to come to the airport,” he said.
This advisory was issued to prevent passengers from waiting too long when flights are not yet feasible. The Minister of Transportation noted that the number of passengers in several terminals has begun to decrease after handling processes were expedited.
Nevertheless, a number of passengers remain, hoping that flights will resume. The government has asked the public to understand that conditions do not yet allow flights to operate for the next four hours.
In addition to ticket refunds, flight rerouting has also been processed since the operational disruption began. However, the decision to divert flights to other airports remains with each respective airline.
The Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that alternative airports are ready should airlines choose to divert affected flights. This readiness covers both airport facilities and onward transportation to maintain passenger connectivity.
The government has prepared Semarang, Juanda, and Yogyakarta as alternatives for flight diversions. Minister Dudy said the conditions at these alternative airports are currently still monitored as safe.
Inspections of airports around Anak Krakatau Mount continue to be carried out through paper tests and BMKG monitoring. Airports may resume operations if ash dispersal does not reach aviation areas based on the latest inspections.
Dudy said that around 150,000 passengers have been affected across all airports during the disruption. Meanwhile, the number of affected flights is reported to reach approximately 467 flights. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
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