HARIANEXPRESS – Flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport have fully returned to normal, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transportation, following a temporary disruption caused by the eruption of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra. The airport experienced a brief closure on September 1, 2026, after volcanic ash was detected, impacting dozens of flights.
Kualanamu Flights Resume Normal Schedule
The Ministry of Transportation announced that all flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport are now running normally. This development comes after careful monitoring revealed no volcanic ash at the airport on September 2, 2026.
Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, shared this update in a statement on Thursday, September 3. Monitoring on September 2 confirmed the absence of volcanic ash through test papers.
Mount Sinabung’s Activity and Volcanic Ash Movement
Lukman F. Laisa elaborated on the eruption, stating that the volcanic ash cloud from Mount Sinabung reached an altitude of 14,000 feet. This information was based on a Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) report from the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) on September 2, 2026.
The volcanic ash was observed moving southwest at approximately 5 knots. Its intensity was predicted to remain constant without significant changes.
“It was moving southwest at a speed of around 5 knots, with the intensity predicted to remain constant or not experience significant changes,” ujar Lukman F. Laisa.
The SIGMET information was valid from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 2. This data is crucial for aviation safety monitoring, particularly for potential shifts in wind direction and speed that could affect volcanic ash movement and flight paths.
Temporary Closure and Flight Disruptions
Before the return to normal operations, a thin layer of volcanic ash was detected on September 1, 2026, in the aircraft parking area at Kualanamu International Airport. As a result, the airport was temporarily closed on September 1 as a precautionary measure, based on NOTAM A3250/26.
This temporary closure led to the cancellation of 45 flights and the rescheduling of six others. Airport operations were subsequently reopened based on NOTAM A3254/26 and NOTAM A3251/26, with continuous consideration of aerodrome inspection results and volcanic ash updates.
Ongoing Monitoring and Safety Protocols
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation continues its robust monitoring and coordination efforts regarding Mount Sinabung’s activity. The potential impact of volcanic ash on flight operations, especially at Kualanamu International Airport, remains a key focus.
Updates on volcanic activity are received from various sources, including the Darwin VAAC and Meteorological Station Forecasters. These updates support coordination and mitigation efforts with airport operators, airlines, and other relevant stakeholders.
“Aviation safety remains our top priority. We continue to monitor every development of Mount Sinabung’s activity and the movement of volcanic ash,” ujar Lukman F. Laisa.
Airlines also maintain the authority to assess and evaluate their flight operations based on actual conditions. This includes necessary adjustments to schedules, delays, or cancellations to ensure the safety of flights.
“This includes adjusting schedules, delaying, or canceling flights when necessary to ensure flight safety,” ujar Lukman F. Laisa.
