Minister Explains Why 8 Airports Remain Closed Until Midnight

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the Ministry of Transportation has decided to keep eight airports affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau closed until 24.00 WIB. The closure may be extended depending on the spread of volcanic ash.

Dudy explained that the decision was taken after the ministry coordinated with all aviation stakeholders and obtained the latest information on the direction of volcanic ash movement from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). “Every four hours we will update the latest conditions,” Dudy said at a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday (6/9/2026).

Dudy said that based on BMKG information at around 17.00 WIB, the wind direction, which had previously been moving west, was now heading east at a speed of around five knots at an altitude of 15,000 feet. “We are concerned that this will spread further,” he said.

Dudy also explained that two additional airports have been affected by volcanic ash, resulting in temporary closure: Taufik Kiemas Airport in Lampung and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam. This brings the total number of airports affected by volcanic ash to eight.

“After coordinating, we decided that the eight airports will be closed until 24.00 WIB,” Dudy said.

The temporary closure will be re-evaluated at midnight. Dudy will monitor the development of the ash spread to determine whether its concentration is beginning to decrease or is expanding further.

In addition, Dudy confirmed that monitoring is being carried out regularly. Testing is conducted every 30 minutes at all airports, not just the eight affected ones. “Particularly those to the east, to anticipate whether the dust spread is widening or decreasing,” Dudy said.