Transport Minister Extends Closure of Six Airports Over Anak Krakatau Ash

Six Indonesian airports will remain closed for another four hours after tests continued to detect volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said.

Speaking at an online press conference from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Purwagandhi said the closures were being extended to protect aviation safety. The conference began at about 1 p.m. local time, meaning the shutdown could continue until around 5 p.m.

“Regarding flights, particularly the airport closures, at this time we will likely continue the closure for the next four hours,” Purwagandhi said. He cited the latest paper-test results, which remained positive for volcanic ash at all six affected airports.

The airports are Radin Inten in Lampung, Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Budiarto in Curug, Pondok Cabe, and Husein Sastranegara in Bandung. The Transport Ministry initially closed five airports after receiving information from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency about ash dispersal that could disrupt flight operations. Husein Sastranegara was added after further testing at noon showed that it had also been affected.

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Regarding flights, particularly the airport closures, at this time we will likely continue the closure for the next four hours.