22,798 Passengers Affected by Soekarno-Hatta Airport Closure

A total of 22,798 passengers were affected by the temporary closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after tests indicated volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau in the airport area.

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said airport staff and airlines were continuing to assist passengers during the shutdown. Director General Lukman F. Laisa said officials were providing regular updates, maintaining waiting areas and handling passengers according to established procedures.

“The main focus of all airport and airline personnel at this time is to provide regular information, ensure the availability of waiting areas, and provide assistance according to procedures,” Lukman said in a holding statement.

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The main focus of all airport and airline personnel at this time is to provide regular information, ensure the availability of waiting areas, and provide assistance according to procedures.

The closure began at 1:30 a.m. local time under AirNav Indonesia’s NOTAM A3341/26. A paper test conducted between 12:35 a.m. and 1:05 a.m. returned a positive indication of volcanic ash. A later test by the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Meteorological Station, conducted between 6:05 a.m. and 6:35 a.m., also indicated ash in the airport area. Authorities therefore extended the closure until 9:30 a.m. under NOTAM A3344/26.

Lukman said officials were also preparing to restore flight schedules when conditions allowed. The closure could create knock-on effects for aircraft rotations, fleet availability, later flights and terminal capacity. “Flight operations will continue to be adjusted dynamically based on developments on the ground. Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision,” he said.

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Flight operations will continue to be adjusted dynamically based on developments on the ground. Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision.