8 Airports, Including Jakarta, Closed Due to Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia... Indonesian Government to Operate Alternative Airports 24 Hours

【Jakarta (Indonesia) = Correspondent Aulia Maulida Hamdani】 The Indonesian government has taken steps to minimize disruptions to air traffic, such as operating alternative airports 24 hours a day and supporting ground transportation, after operations at eight airports, including Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, were suspended due to the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano.
According to local media reports on the 7th, Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation has decided to operate Kertajati, Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport, Juanda International Airport, Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), and Adisoemarmo International Airport 24 hours a day to replace those where operations were suspended due to the spread of volcanic ash. Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi stated, "We have taken measures to allow airlines to use alternative airports depending on their flight conditions and needs."
The eight airports where operations have been suspended are Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Radin Inten II International Airport, Husein Sastranegara Airport, Budiarto Airport, Pondok Chave Airport, Taufik Kimas Airport, and Atung Bungsu Airport.
The government restricted flights while volcanic ash affected aviation safety and allowed each airline to decide whether to use alternative airports based on flight schedules and aircraft conditions.
The volcanic eruption is also causing a series of disruptions to flight operations. As of the 6th, a total of 301 flights—including 233 domestic flights, 58 international flights, and 10 cargo flights—were canceled, delayed, or changed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, while more than 19 Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights were canceled at Singapore Changi International Airport. Chaos continued at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, with long queues forming as passengers flocked to inquire about alternative flights and refunds.
The government is providing free ground transportation, such as trains and buses, to support the movement of passengers whose flights have been rerouted to alternative airports. Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation and the Indonesian Airports Authority plan to cooperate with airlines to assist passengers traveling from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Kertajati, Juanda International Airport, Adisoemarmo International Airport, Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport, and Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA). Minister Dudy stated, "No fees will be charged for transportation to alternative airports."
Minister Dudy further explained, "Airlines decide whether to use the alternative airport, and passengers can continue their journey via the alternative airport or cancel their flights if necessary." The Indonesian government plans to work closely with relevant agencies and airlines to stabilize the operation of the alternative airports, while minimizing disruptions to air traffic caused by volcanic ash and prioritizing aviation safety.

[email protected] Correspondent Aulia Maulida Hamdani Reporter