Jakarta, indomaritim.com – The Ministry of Transportation confirmed that flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport have returned to normal following the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra, with no volcanic ash detected at the airport.
“Flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport are running normally,” the Ministry’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, remarked in a statement on Thursday (September 3) as cited from Antara News Agency.
According to him, monitoring results on September 2 detected no volcanic ash at the airport, confirmed by the absence of volcanic ash on the test paper.
However, his office continues monitoring and coordination in Mount Sinabung’s activity and the potential impact of volcanic ash on flight operations, particularly at Kualanamu International Airport.
Lukman explained that based on Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) from the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), on September 2, 2026, Mount Sinabung erupted with a volcanic ash cloud observed reaching an altitude of 14,000 feet.
“It was moving southwest at a speed of around 5 knots, with the intensity predicted to remain constant or not experience significant changes,” he noted.
The SIGMET information is valid from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 2, concerning aviation safety monitoring, particularly regarding possible changes in wind direction and speed, which could affect volcanic ash movement patterns and potentially impact flight paths, Lukman conveyed.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation receives updates on volcanic activity from sources including the Darwin VAAC and Meteorological Station Forecasters, which are used to support coordination and mitigation efforts with airport operators, airlines, and other relevant stakeholders.
Based on monitoring results, on September 1, 2026, a thin layer of volcanic ash was detected in the aircraft parking area at Kualanamu International Airport.
As a precautionary measure, flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport were temporarily closed on September 1 based on NOTAM A3250/26.
Airport operations were reopened based on NOTAM A3254/26 and NOTAM A3251/26, while still taking into account the results of aerodrome condition inspections and updates on volcanic ash.
The airport closure impacted 45 flights canceled and six flights rescheduled.
“Aviation safety remains our top priority. We continue to monitor every development of Mount Sinabung’s activity and the movement of volcanic ash,” Lukman ensured.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation also said that airlines have the authority to evaluate and assess their flight operations based on actual conditions.
“This includes adjusting schedules, delaying, or canceling flights when necessary to ensure flight safety,” he noted. (Edo)
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