September 8, 2026 | 05:04 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has ordered airlines to conduct thorough inspections of all aircraft before they resume flights following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, as several airports affected by volcanic ash have reopened.
The inspections are part of safety measures accompanying the reopening of airports that were temporarily closed after volcanic ash disrupted flight operations. Authorities are also requiring pilots and flight crews to remain aware of restricted airspace where volcanic ash has been detected.
“To ensure flight safety and security, the reopening of these airports also comes with several requirements. Airport authorities and airlines must inspect all aircraft,” Dudy said in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.
He said airport authorities and airlines must check every aircraft to ensure that no volcanic ash has settled on or entered the engines.
Volcanic ash poses a particular risk to aircraft because its particles are extremely fine and can enter engines and other aircraft systems. Airlines generally have standard procedures to protect aircraft engines while planes are parked, but Dudy said every aircraft must undergo another inspection before returning to service.
Pilots and operating crews must also understand restricted polygons, or designated areas of airspace where flights are restricted because volcanic ash remains present.
Dudy said inspections would involve airport authorities, airlines and other relevant agencies to ensure aircraft meet safety requirements before carrying passengers again.
Five airports reopen
Several airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash resumed operations early Tuesday after national aviation authorities determined that conditions were safe.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung resumed operations at 12:01 a.m. local time on September 8.
Budiarto Curug Airport and Pondok Cabe Airport, both in Banten, followed at 2:25 a.m., Dudy said.
“The closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport and several other airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash has ended. Starting Tuesday (September 8) at 12:01 a.m., airport operations have resumed normally,” Dudy said.
Radin Inten II Airport and Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas Airport in Lampung, however, remained closed pending further assessment of volcanic ash conditions.
The reopening followed days of disruption after Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption sent volcanic ash into the airspace around several airports. Eight airports had initially suspended operations because of the ash, while Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra had resumed normal operations on Monday.
Authorities have taken a cautious approach to reopening as wind conditions can change and volcanic ash can pose a serious threat to aircraft. The eruption has disrupted nearly 3,000 flights and affected more than 340,000 passengers, according to Reuters.
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