Transport minister explains why eight airports remain closed until midnight

Indonesia’s Transport Ministry will keep eight airports closed until midnight after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau began spreading in a changing wind pattern. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the closure could be extended if conditions worsen.

The decision followed coordination with aviation stakeholders and updated information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, known as BMKG. Dudy said BMKG data at about 5 p.m. showed winds shifting from westward to eastward at around five knots at an altitude of 15,000 feet.

“We are concerned that this could spread further,” Dudy said at a news conference in Jakarta on Sunday, Sept. 6. He said officials would update the situation every four hours.

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Every four hours we will update the latest conditions.

Two additional airports, Taufik Kiemas Airport in Lampung and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, were temporarily closed because of the ash. The ministry is also preparing alternative airports for takeoffs and landings.

The closures will be reviewed at midnight to determine whether the ash concentration has begun to decline or is continuing to expand. Officials are conducting tests every 30 minutes at all airports, not only the eight directly affected, with particular attention to airports and routes toward the east.

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We are concerned that this could spread further.