Five Indonesian airports reopen after ash removal

Five airports in the region have resumed operations after emergency crews removed volcanic ash that had blocked runways and navigation equipment. The closures, imposed earlier this week following a sudden ash plume from the nearby Mount Caldera, halted passenger and cargo services at the facilities, prompting airlines to cancel or reroute hundreds of flights. Authorities from the national civil aviation authority, together with the Ministry of Environment and local fire services, coordinated the cleanup, employing specialized vacuum units and de‑icing chemicals to restore the critical infrastructure to safe operating conditions.

The reopened airports—Cedarfield International, Riverbend Regional, Highland Airstrip, Coastal City Terminal and Meadowbrook Domestic—are now cleared for take‑offs and landings, with airlines gradually reinstating scheduled services. Officials indicated that the ash removal process took between 12 and 18 hours per site and that continuous monitoring will remain in place to detect any further ash fall. The restoration of these hubs is expected to alleviate the travel disruptions caused by the eruption and support the region’s economic recovery while ensuring compliance with safety standards.