3 hrs ago
Indonesia Reopens Five Airports After Anak Krakatau Ash Clears
Indonesia closed several airports because ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano could make flying unsafe.
The closures lasted about two days and affected many travelers.
On Tuesday, Jakarta’s main airport and four other airports reopened.
Officials said the wind had moved the ash away from the airports.
Workers still need to inspect planes, runways and other equipment.
About 178 planes stayed at Soekarno-Hatta Airport during the closure.
Nearly 3,000 flights were disrupted.
The volcano was still active and erupted three times on Tuesday.
Officials are reopening airports carefully because wind direction can change quickly.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and four other airports reopened after volcanic ash cleared from the area.
The disruption affected about 341,000 passengers and disrupted 2,961 flights, including 622 international services.
Authorities said winds moved ash away but continued inspections of runways, aircraft and airport equipment.
Some 178 aircraft remained at Soekarno-Hatta during the closure and must be checked before returning to service.
Anak Krakatau remained active and erupted three times on Tuesday, according to Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency.
- Who
- Indonesian airport authorities, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, Chief Infrastructure Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and travelers were involved.
- What
- Five airports reopened after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau cleared, following a two-day disruption.
- Where
- The affected airports were in Jakarta, Bandung and Banten province, with the ash originating from Anak Krakatau between Java and Sumatra.
- When
- The airports reopened shortly after midnight on Tuesday; Anak Krakatau also erupted three times on Tuesday, with the latest recorded at 7:49 a.m. local time.
- Why
- Airports were closed and later reopened based on volcanic-ash conditions and safety inspections of aircraft, runways and equipment.
Key facts
- Passengers affected
- About 341,000
- Flights disrupted
- 2,961, including 622 international services
- Airports reopened
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Husein Sastranegara Airport and two smaller airports in Banten province
- Aircraft awaiting inspection
- 178 aircraft remained at Soekarno-Hatta during the closure
- Volcano status
- Anak Krakatau remained active and erupted three times on Tuesday
- Latest reported eruption
- 7:49 a.m. local time, or 0049 GMT
- Airports still closed
- Two airports remained closed according to the latest update
Quotes
Dudy Purwagandhi
Indonesia's transport minister
“We are taking a conservative approach because wind direction is highly dynamic. We want to ensure that volcanic ash has moved away from airports around Anak Krakatau.”
telegraphindia.com
“Perhaps it'll take some little extra time to prepare the planes.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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