Crisis Management Amid Volcanic Eruptions: InJourney Airports Mobilizes Contingency Plan Following Anak Krakatau Activity

JAKARTA – The aviation sector in Indonesia is currently navigating a period of high-intensity crisis management as Mount Anak Krakatau, one of the region’s most active volcanoes, began exhibiting significant volcanic activity. The resulting spread of volcanic ash—a critical threat to aviation safety due to its abrasive glass particles capable of disabling jet engines—has forced the closure of key aviation hubs in the nation’s capital and surrounding regions.

In response, PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia, operating under the brand InJourney Airports, has activated a comprehensive emergency protocol. This initiative seeks to mitigate the impact of the closures by establishing a network of alternative airports and providing essential logistics support to thousands of stranded passengers. As of September 7, 2026, the aviation landscape in Western Indonesia is undergoing a massive shift to ensure that national mobility remains functional despite the geological unrest.

The Scope of the Crisis: Operational Stoppages

The current crisis stems from a sudden and aggressive phase of volcanic eruption from Mount Anak Krakatau. By the early hours of September 7, authorities issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) announcing the temporary closure of four critical airports:

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), Tangerang
Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP), Jakarta
Radin Inten II Airport (TKG), Lampung
Husein Sastranegara International Airport (BDO), Bandung

These facilities are scheduled to remain closed until at least 23:59 WIB on September 7, 2026, pending further safety assessments of the airspace. The closure of Soekarno-Hatta, the nation’s primary gateway, has created a ripple effect, disrupting domestic and international flight schedules and leaving travelers in a state of uncertainty.

Strategic Mobilization: The Alternative Hub Network

To address the mounting backlog of passengers and cargo, InJourney Airports has designated six secondary airports to absorb the redirected traffic. These hubs are currently being utilized to maintain the continuity of air travel in Indonesia:

Kertajati International Airport (KJT), Majalengka
Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), Kulon Progo
Adi Soemarmo International Airport (SOC), Solo
Ahmad Yani International Airport (SRG), Semarang
Juanda International Airport (SUB), Surabaya

The selection of these airports is based on their geographical positioning, which allows them to operate outside the primary trajectory of the volcanic ash clouds currently drifting across the Sunda Strait and parts of West Java.

Chronology of Response and Logistical Support

The emergency response began immediately upon the closure announcement. Recognizing that travelers were stranded at the shuttered airports, InJourney Airports launched a coordinated ground transportation initiative.

From September 6 to September 7, 2026, the company deployed a fleet of shuttle buses to provide complimentary transport for passengers affected by the closure of Soekarno-Hatta. These buses are designated to move passengers to alternative departure hubs in Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, and Surabaya.

"InJourney Airports, alongside our regulators and stakeholders, including airline operators, is fully committed to maintaining public mobility," stated Arie Ahsanurrohim, Corporate Secretary Group Head of InJourney Airports. "Our priority is to ensure that passengers are not only informed but actively supported during this period of significant travel disruption."

Supporting Data: Flight Additions and Airline Coordination

In an effort to stabilize flight capacity, InJourney Airports has successfully coordinated 28 additional commercial flights. These flights are intended to clear the backlog of passengers diverted from the closed airports. The breakdown of these additional operations is as follows:

Juanda International Airport, Surabaya (20 Flights)

Lion Air: Expanding connections to and from Pekanbaru, Makassar, and Denpasar.
Citilink: Strengthening capacity for routes to and from Denpasar and Batam.
Singapore Airlines: Maintaining vital international connectivity to and from Singapore.

Yogyakarta International Airport (2 Flights)

Scoot: Operating additional services to and from Singapore to manage the demand from travelers stranded in the Central Java region.

Ahmad Yani International Airport, Semarang (5 Flights)

Scoot: Increasing capacity for routes to and from Singapore.

Kertajati International Airport (1 Flight)

Scoot: Providing additional capacity for the Singapore-Kertajati route.

Special Operations: Umrah Pilgrimage

Beyond standard commercial flights, the crisis has posed a significant challenge for religious travel. Garuda Indonesia has been granted authorization to operate two special flights for Umrah pilgrims from Kertajati International Airport. These flights, destined for Jeddah and Medina, are carrying 707 passengers who were originally scheduled to depart from Soekarno-Hatta Airport on the night of September 7.

Official Perspective: Safety as the North Star

The decision to close major airports is never taken lightly, as it carries immense economic and logistical weight. However, InJourney Airports maintains that safety is non-negotiable. Volcanic ash is composed of pulverized rock and glass; when ingested by jet engines, it can melt, causing turbine failure, and can also erode cockpit windows and damage navigation sensors.

"We are committed to prioritizing flight safety above all else," Arie Ahsanurrohim emphasized. "The procedures we have implemented are designed to handle passenger displacement as part of a wider recovery strategy. Our goal is to ensure that while the journey may be redirected, the experience remains safe, orderly, and as optimal as the circumstances allow."

Implications of the Eruption

The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau serves as a stark reminder of the geological vulnerability of the Indonesian archipelago. The current situation highlights several critical implications for the future of aviation management in the region:

1. Resilience of Infrastructure

The ability of Kertajati, Solo, and Yogyakarta airports to act as viable alternates demonstrates the success of recent government efforts to diversify Indonesia’s aviation infrastructure. Historically, the reliance on Soekarno-Hatta as a "single point of failure" has been a point of concern; the current crisis proves that decentralization of aviation hubs is essential for national resilience.

2. Stakeholder Integration

The efficacy of the current response relies heavily on the "InJourney" ecosystem—a state-owned holding company that integrates aviation and tourism. By bringing airports, ground handling, and retail under one management structure, the response time to the volcanic crisis has been significantly reduced compared to historical incidents.

3. Economic Impact

While the emergency measures are successful in moving passengers, the economic cost of shutting down Soekarno-Hatta—the country’s busiest airport—is substantial. Airlines are facing millions of dollars in lost revenue, fuel costs for diversions, and ground operation expenses. The business community will likely watch closely to see how quickly the airline industry can recover once the volcanic threat subsides.

Looking Ahead: The Path to Normalcy

As of the latest reports, experts from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) continue to monitor Mount Anak Krakatau. The closure of airports remains subject to the prevailing wind directions and the concentration of ash in the atmosphere.

Passengers are advised to stay in close contact with their respective airlines for real-time updates regarding flight status and the rescheduling of diverted journeys. InJourney Airports has pledged to maintain its support operations until all displaced passengers have been accommodated.

The aviation sector’s response to this eruption is a testament to the complex orchestration required to keep a nation moving during a natural disaster. By blending rigorous safety protocols with proactive logistical solutions, InJourney Airports is attempting to turn a potential catastrophe into a manageable operational challenge.

For the thousands of travelers waiting in departure lounges across Java, the next 24 to 48 hours will be critical. As the ash settles, the hope remains that the skies over Jakarta will soon be clear, allowing for the resumption of normal operations. In the meantime, the network of alternative hubs stands as a testament to Indonesia’s commitment to keeping its people connected, even in the face of volcanic adversity.