Airlines told to inspect aircraft after Anak Krakatau's eruption

Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption led to the temporary closure of eight Indonesian airports, disrupting air travel across Western Java and Southern Sumatra. The decision followed the dispersal of volcanic ash, which posed a threat to flight safety. Authorities initially grounded six airports but later expanded the list to eight, citing ongoing atmospheric conditions that necessitated precautionary measures. The Transportation Ministry confirmed the closures during a media briefing in Jakarta, emphasizing that operational decisions were strictly guided by aviation safety protocols. The affected airports included Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Tangerang, Banten), Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Jakarta), Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung), Husein Sastranegara Airport (Bandung, West Java), Budiarto Airport (Curug, Tangerang), Pondok Cabe Airport (South Tangerang), Taufik Kiemas Airport (Pesisir Barat, Lampung), and Atung Bungsu Airport (Pagar Alam, South Sumatra). With indefinite closure timelines depending on ash dispersion patterns, the ministry instructed airlines to provide real-time updates and ensure full ticket refunds for affected passengers. “The most important thing is that passengers' rights to ticket refunds must be guaranteed by the airlines so they do not have to wait needlessly,” stated Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi. To alleviate the impact of stranded passengers, the ministry opened operational options for diverted flights to alternative hubs, including Kertajati, Semarang, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta airports. Officials also urged prospective travelers to avoid visiting affected airport terminals during the grounding period and to monitor flight status updates through official airline channels. State-owned flight navigation service provider AirNav Indonesia reiterated that the temporary closures were a mitigation measure to ensure flight safety, given the spread of volcanic ash in the airspace. AirNav Indonesia’s EVP of Corporate Secretary, Hermana Soegijantoro, stated that the agency continues to monitor developments in airspace conditions and the spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. “Aeronautical information will continue to be updated according to actual conditions and flight safety information,” he said. Previously, six airports remained closed due to the spread of volcanic ash, with the affected airports listed as Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP), Radin Inten II Airport (TKG), Husein Sastranegara Airport (BDO), Budiarto Airport (RTO), and Pondok Cabe Airport (PCB). In addition to the main closures, smoke from wildfires disrupted flights at Melalan Airport in East Kalimantan, forcing the airport to suspend operations due to reduced visibility. Thick smoke, which fell below one kilometer, prompted authorities to cancel flights from September 1 to September 5, 2026. Airport chief Bernard Repelita Purba noted that the suspension was purely for flight safety, with commercial carriers such as Wings Air and Smart Aviation announcing cancellations through next week if rain did not fall. Charter flights using a private helicopter operated by PT Bayan were also suspended. The volcanic ash also impacted educational activities in West Java, leading to the temporary suspension of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program in several schools. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) decided to halt the program, citing the need to align with regional policies and ensure student health. BGN’s Head of Legal and Public Relations Bureau, Khairul Hidayati, stated that the decision was a response to the urgency of anticipating the impacts of volcanic ash on learning activities. She emphasized that the MBG program would be readjusted once conditions allowed for in-person learning to resume. The government also prepared 10 airports to operate 24 hours a day to expedite the recovery of flight schedules disrupted by the eruption. These included Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, Adi Soemarmo International Airport in Surakarta, and New Yogyakarta International Airport. Purwagandhi noted that volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau was observed at an altitude of around 15,000 feet, moving southwest at 10 knots, and that the VAAC forecast indicated the ash spread would persist until approximately 6:10 a.m. WIB on Tuesday (September 8). He warned that changing wind directions could bring ash back toward airport grounds, necessitating continued monitoring before airport reopenings. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) coordinated with regional disaster management agencies to monitor the situation on the ground and identify response needs. BNPB Head Suharyanto noted that weather modification operations, including cloud seeding and water misting, were being considered to help clear volcanic ash from the atmosphere. Personnel were dispatched to affected areas to ensure local authorities were prepared for potential follow-up impacts. Suharyanto also urged local governments to ensure the readiness of disaster management mechanisms, including early warning systems and evacuation shelters. On September 8, 2026, AirNav Indonesia reported that six airports had resumed operations, with three remaining closed. The reopened airports included Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (WIII), Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (WIHH), and Husein Sastranegara Airport (WICC), while Radin Inten II Airport (WILL), Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Airport (WILP), and Salakanagara Tanjung Lesung Airport (WIHI) remained closed until 10:00 a.m. WIB. Hermana Soegijantoro stated that the NOTAM updates referred to changes in ash dispersion affecting flight operations, with ongoing monitoring of periodic volcanic ash tests conducted on September 7, 2026, at affected airport locations. AirNav Indonesia continues to monitor volcanic activity and ash dispersion, coordinating with aviation regulators and stakeholders to provide updated aeronautical information.