Airlines ordered to inspect aircraft after Anak Krakatau eruption

Indonesia is reopening airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash, but airlines must inspect every aircraft before carrying passengers again. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered checks for ash that may have settled on or entered aircraft engines and other systems.

The inspections accompany the reopening of airports that temporarily closed after ash disrupted flight operations. Pilots and operating crews must also understand restricted airspace polygons, where flights remain limited because volcanic ash is still present.

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To ensure flight safety and security, the reopening of these airports also comes with several requirements. Airport authorities and airlines must inspect all aircraft.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and Husein Sastranegara Airport resumed operations at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. Budiarto Curug Airport and Pondok Cabe Airport followed at 2:25 a.m. Radin Inten II Airport and Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Airport in Lampung remained closed pending further assessment.

Authorities initially suspended operations at eight airports, while Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra resumed normal service on Monday. Officials have taken a cautious approach because wind conditions can change and volcanic ash poses a serious threat to aircraft. The eruption disrupted nearly 3,000 flights and affected more than 340,000 passengers.

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The closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport and several other airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash has ended. Starting Tuesday (September 8) at 12:01 a.m., airport operations have resumed normally.