JAKARTA, Sept 8 – Indonesia reopened five airports affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau early Tuesday after aviation authorities determined conditions were safe.
“The closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport and several other airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash has ended,” Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Operations resumed at 12:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, he said, following a safety assessment of the affected airports and surrounding airspace.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Banten, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, the capital of West Java Province, resumed operations at 12:01 a.m. on September 8.
Budiarto Curug Airport and Pondok Cabe Airport, both in Banten Province, followed at 2:25 a.m., Dudy said during an inspection at Soekarno-Hatta’s Terminal 1.
Radin Inten II Airport and Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Airport in Lampung Province remained closed pending further assessment of volcanic ash conditions, according to the Transport Ministry.
The reopening was subject to several measures to ensure flight safety, including inspections of all aircraft by airport authorities and airlines before operations resumed.
Pilots and flight crews must also understand restricted polygons, or designated airspace areas that authorities have prohibited or restricted because volcanic ash has been detected.
Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau began affecting airspace and airport operations on Saturday, September 5, forcing eight airports to suspend operations.
The affected airports were Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, Radin Inten II, Husein Sastranegara, Budiarto Curug, Pondok Cabe, Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas and Atung Bungsu.
Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra Province, had already resumed normal operations at 9 a.m. Monday, September 7, based on the latest operational update.
The reopening of the five airports brings most affected aviation facilities back online, while two airports in Lampung remain subject to further monitoring.
Dudy urged airlines to maintain coordination with airport operators, aviation authorities and other relevant agencies to ensure flights can operate safely.
He said airlines should continue monitoring volcanic ash conditions and comply with aviation safety requirements as authorities assess the affected airspace.
