Major Indonesian Airports, Including Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta, Resume Operations Today; Full Normalization Expected to Take Time

【JAKARTA, Indonesia—Aulia Maulida Hamdani, Correspondent】Major airports temporarily closed due to ash from the eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano resumed operations on the 8th. However, full normalization is expected to take time, with 2,961 domestic and international flights and 341,000 passengers affected.
According to local media reports on the 8th, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport resumed operations at 12:30 a.m., Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport at 12:40 a.m., and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung at 12:42 a.m. The three airports removed volcanic ash from aircraft operating areas, including runways, taxiways, and aprons, and conducted runway friction tests. They met the safety standards required to resume operations.
Soekarno–Hatta International Airport plans to introduce flights in stages during the initial phase of the resumption and control arrivals and departures by applying air traffic flow management (ATFM). The airport will also expedite the handling of flights that were previously delayed or rescheduled while gradually restoring its operating capacity, including that of the apron.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi said, "As of the afternoon of the 7th, a total of 2,961 flights—including 2,339 domestic flights and 622 international flights—had been affected by ash from Anak Krakatau volcano." As a result, approximately 341,000 passengers were affected by flight cancellations, delays, and diversions.
Although airport operations have resumed, schedule adjustments may continue. Airport authorities urged passengers to check their flight status and schedule through their airline’s official channels before leaving for the airport.
[email protected] Aulia Maulida Hamdani, Correspondent Reporter