September 7, 2026 | 07:32 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi stated that "paper tests" are being conducted every 30 minutes at both affected and other airports to monitor the spread of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau.
The Minister noted that this intensive monitoring follows a government review of coordination results with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and aviation stakeholders, based on the latest weather developments as of Sunday afternoon, Sept. 6, 2026.
"We are monitoring continuously; every 30 minutes, we conduct paper tests at all airports—not just the eight affected ones, but all airports, particularly those to the east—to anticipate whether the ash spread is widening or subsiding," the Minister confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday.
According to Dudy, monitoring results indicate that the wind direction has shifted from west to east, moving at a speed of five knots at an altitude of 15,000 feet.
This shift in wind direction has heightened government vigilance due to concerns that the volcanic ash spread could expand and potentially impact flight operations in other regions.
Based on a joint evaluation, the Ministry of Transportation decided to temporarily close eight airports until midnight Western Indonesian Time (WIB) to ensure the safety and security of national flight operations.
The eight airports include Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Tangerang), Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (Jakarta), and Radin Inten II Airport (Lampung).
Also included are Husein Sastranegara Airport (Bandung), Budiarto Airport (Curug, Tangerang), Pondok Cabe Airport (South Tangerang), Taufik Kiemas Airport (West Pesisir, Lampung), and Atung Bungsu Airport (Pagar Alam, South Sumatra).
The Minister emphasized that paper testing is not limited to the eight affected airports but has been extended to other airports located along the path of the volcanic ash spread.
This measure aims to anticipate the potential expansion of the ash spread, enabling the government to make immediate operational decisions based on the latest conditions on the ground. Dudy stated that the government updates monitoring results every four hours by integrating information from the BMKG, airport operators, AirNav, and other relevant agencies.
He further noted that, as of the latest monitoring, "paper test" results at the eight affected airports still indicate the presence of volcanic ash; consequently, flight operations cannot yet be resumed.
The Transport Minister also instructed Angkasa Pura, the BMKG, and all stakeholders to provide continuous updates on conditions so that the public remains informed about the latest flight operations.
He emphasized that all decisions regarding the opening or closure of airports would be based on field monitoring results, with flight safety remaining the top priority.
The government has assured that the monitoring of volcanic ash movement will continue intensively until conditions are officially declared safe for flight operations across all affected areas.
"We conduct tests every half-hour. So far, the results at those eight airports remain positive. We will continue to provide updates; Angkasa Pura and the BMKG will keep sharing that information on an ongoing basis," the Transport Minister said.
Read: Minister Says Prabowo Monitors Anak Krakatau Impact on Flight Operations
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