Indonesia opens five alternative airports around the clock after Anak Krakatau eruption

Indonesia has opened five alternative airports for 24-hour operations after volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau eruption led to the closure of eight airports.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the alternative facilities would help maintain passenger mobility while operations at the affected airports remain unsafe. The closed airports include Soekarno-Hatta in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Radin Inten II in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara in Bandung, Budiarto in Curug, Pondok Cabe in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas in West Pesisir Lampung and Atung Bungsu in South Sumatra. Their closure was scheduled to continue until 11:59 p.m. Sunday local time.

The replacement airports are Kertajati in Majalengka, Ahmad Yani in Semarang, Juanda in Surabaya, Yogyakarta International Airport and Adi Soemarmo in Solo. Airlines can decide whether to use them based on their operational needs, flight schedules, aircraft readiness and passenger services.

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We have opened alternative airports, Kertajati, Semarang, Juanda, Yogyakarta, and Solo, for 24-hour operations.

“It depends on whether people still want to travel by moving their journey to those alternative airports or whether they cancel their journey,” Dudy said.

The Transportation Ministry and InJourney Airports are also arranging free train and bus transport for passengers whose flights are redirected from Soekarno-Hatta to Kertajati, Juanda, Solo, Semarang or Yogyakarta. The ministry said passengers would not be charged for transport to the alternative airports, with InJourney Airports and airlines coordinating new departure locations and supporting services.

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It depends on whether people still want to travel by moving their journey to those alternative airports or whether they cancel their journey.