Anak Krakatau ash prompts 30-minute airport tests as wind changes

Indonesia has intensified airport monitoring after winds carrying ash from the Anak Krakatau eruption changed direction. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said paper tests now take place every 30 minutes at all airports, with particular attention to those lying east of the volcano.

“We continue to monitor every half hour, every 30 minutes, conducting paper tests at all airports, not only at the eight airports, but all airports, especially those facing east, to anticipate whether the ash spread is widening or receding,” Dudy said in Jakarta.

The change in wind direction raised concern that volcanic ash could spread farther and disrupt flights in other areas. Winds had initially moved westward but were later reported moving east at five knots at an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Following a joint evaluation, the Transport Ministry temporarily closed eight airports until midnight local time. They are Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, Budiarto Airport in Curug, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas Airport in West Pesisir, Lampung, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.

Monitoring was extended beyond those eight airports to other facilities along the ash's projected path. The government is updating its assessment every four hours using information from Indonesia's meteorological agency BMKG, airport operators, AirNav and other agencies.

The latest paper tests at the eight affected airports still indicated volcanic ash, so flight operations could not resume. Dudy asked Angkasa Pura, BMKG and other aviation stakeholders to keep providing updates, saying decisions on reopening or closing airports would rely on field monitoring and prioritize flight safety.

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We continue to monitor every half hour, every 30 minutes, conducting paper tests at all airports, not only at the eight airports, but all airports, especially those facing east, to anticipate whether the ash spread is widening or receding.