Bandung Airport Reopens After Anak Krakatau Ash Disrupts Flights

Husein Sastranegara International Airport in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, reopened on Tuesday, September 8, after being temporarily closed due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. The airport's airside and landside facilities were found to be ready for flight operations at 12:42 a.m. local time, according to Journey Airports Corporate Secretary Group Head Arie Ahsanurrohim.

Reopening procedures included clearing volcanic ash from the airport's airside facilities, such as the apron, taxiway, and runway, as well as conducting a runway friction test. The results confirmed that the runway met safety and operational standards for flights to resume. Arie advised passengers to verify their flight status and schedules with their respective airlines, as flight operations may still change.

The temporary closure impacted travelers to and from Bandung, some of whom opted for rail services, including the high-speed Whoosh train. Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan reported that the trains operated smoothly, both for those traveling from Jakarta and from Bandung, eastbound or westbound. Despite the presence of volcanic ash in the surrounding air, no ash remained on the runway, allowing the airport to reopen.

Airlines provided special arrangements for affected passengers, such as options to reschedule flights or request refunds.