Jakarta, Indonesia – Early Tuesday morning, the nation’s busiest airports reopened after a two‑day shutdown caused by ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano. Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced that Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, and Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara Airport resumed operations just after midnight, while two smaller airports in Banten province also welcomed flights.
Partial reopenings and remaining closures
Three airports remained closed until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung on Sumatra’s southern tip. Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra, had already returned to normal service on Monday morning.
Safety measures and ash monitoring
Purwagandhi emphasized a “conservative approach” because wind direction can change rapidly. The ministry wants to ensure that volcanic ash has moved away from airport runways, taxiways, and aircraft. Although tests at several airports showed no ash residue, the extended closures allowed crews to inspect and clean surfaces and equipment that might have been exposed.
Impact on travelers
The shutdown disrupted 2,961 scheduled flights, including 622 international services, affecting roughly 341,000 passengers. In response, the government authorized schools in ash‑affected areas to shift temporarily to online learning, reducing students’ exposure to airborne particles.
About Anak Krakatau
Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau,” sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The volcano has been on Indonesia’s second‑highest alert level since July. While the continuous eruption with lava fountains and loud booms ended on Sunday, the island remained active on Tuesday, with eruptions reported at 5:08 a.m. and 5:34 a.m. Authorities continue to advise residents, tourists, and fishermen to stay at least three kilometers (1.9 miles) from the crater.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” home to more than 120 active volcanoes, making eruptions a frequent challenge for aviation and public safety.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
