Alternative Airports Prepared as Anak Krakatau Ash Disrupts Flights

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation is preparing alternative airports following the impact of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, with several airlines diverting flights to Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said Indonesia's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has used Kertajati Airport as an alternative to Soekarno‑Hatta Airport.

“As of Monday, September 7, 2026, at least four Garuda Indonesia aircraft have landed at Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, West Java. Today, landings are also scheduled at Kertajati for flights arriving from Jeddah and Amsterdam,” Minister Dudy said at Soekarno‑Hatta Airport on Monday, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

The government has also prepared Yogyakarta International Airport, Juanda Airport in East Java, Adi Soemarmo Airport, and Jenderal Ahmad Yani Airport in Central Java as alternative airports.

He added that Singapore Airlines would use alternative airports to facilitate the return of affected passengers. The airline plans to deploy higher‑capacity aircraft for flights from Singapore to Yogyakarta.

“Singapore Airlines will use a different aircraft, with an Airbus A350 to accommodate more passengers, replacing the Boeing 737‑800 originally used. Travelers can fly from Singapore via Surabaya or through an alternative airport for flights to Yogyakarta,” he said.

Minister Dudy encouraged airlines to use high‑capacity aircraft and alternative airports to expedite the return of stranded passengers.

As of Monday, September 7, the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted 2,961 flights due to volcanic ash. This includes 2,339 domestic flights and 622 international flights, affecting 341,000 passengers. The impact on aviation includes cancellations, delays, and diversions.

The Ministry of Transportation has extended the closure of seven affected airports until 11:59 p.m. Jakarta time on Monday, September 7, 2026. The airports are Soekarno‑Hatta, Radin Inten II, Budiarto, Halim Perdanakusuma, Pondok Cabe, Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas, and Husein Sastranegara.

“We are taking a conservative approach because wind directions are highly dynamic. We want to be absolutely certain that the volcanic ash is moving away from airports near Mount Anak Krakatau,” Minister Dudy said.

Although paper tests at several affected airports have shown negative results, operations will resume only after the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Darwin confirms the air is safe.

The extended closure provides time for airport operators and airlines to prepare for the resumption of operations.

Airport operators must inspect and clean airside facilities, including runways, taxiways, and aprons. Airlines must also inspect and clean their aircraft to remove volcanic ash deposits before returning them to service.

The Ministry of Transportation and relevant stakeholders will continue monitoring the spread of volcanic ash and VAAC Darwin advisories as the basis for evaluating airport operations.

“Public safety and security remain the primary considerations in every decision,” Minister Dudy said. ***