Kualanamu flights return to normal after Mount Sinabung eruption

Flights at Kualanamu International Airport have returned to normal after monitoring found no volcanic ash in the airport area following an eruption of Mount Sinabung.

Lukman F. Laisa, director general of air transportation at Indonesia’s Transport Ministry, said tests conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 2 found no ash particles on the paper tests. Authorities said they would continue monitoring the volcano and coordinating closely over any possible impact on flight safety.

Information from the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre indicated that the eruption produced an ash cloud reaching 14,000 feet. The cloud was moving southwest at about five knots, with its intensity expected to remain stable. Officials said changes in wind direction and speed could alter the ash’s movement and affect flight paths.

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Flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport are operating normally.

A thin layer of volcanic ash had been detected in the aircraft parking area at Kualanamu on September 1. The airport then closed temporarily under NOTAM A3250/26, causing 45 flight cancellations and six schedule changes. Operations later resumed under NOTAM A3254/26 and A3251/26 after checks of the airfield and updated ash information.

“Flight safety remains our top priority,” Lukman said. He added that authorities would take mitigation measures if conditions changed. Airlines can independently assess operations and adjust schedules, delay flights or cancel them according to current conditions.

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Flight safety remains our top priority.