Five Indonesian airports temporarily close as Anak Krakatau volcanic ash spreads, disrupting flights and prompting authorities to monitor airspace conditions
JAKARTA: Four more airports in Indonesia were temporarily closed on Sunday as volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau continued to spread, further disrupting flight operations and bringing the total number of affected airports to five.
Transport Ministry Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F Laisa said the additional closures involved Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Raden Inten II Airport in Lampung, Budiarto Airport in Curug and Pondok Cabe Airfield.
“So, five airports have been closed. We continue to monitor the movement of this ash,” he said in an online press conference on Sunday.
He said the ministry was coordinating with airport operators, AirNav Indonesia and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on developments in the volcanic ash movement.
Earlier, authorities said Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was temporarily closed since 1.30 am Sunday after volcanic ash was detected in the airport area.
The closure is extended until 1.30pm local time.
Meanwhile, the Halim Perdanakusuma, Raden Inten II and Pondok Cabe are scheduled to remain closed until 2 pm, while Budiarto until 1.30 pm.
