Indonesia’s Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has ordered all airlines to ensure passengers affected by the closure of eight airports receive their entitled assistance, including ticket refunds or flight rescheduling.
He said airlines must make it easier for affected passengers to either change their travel dates or obtain refunds following widespread flight disruptions caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
“We have conveyed that all airlines must facilitate passengers’ rights to reschedule flights or obtain ticket refunds,” Dudy said in Jakarta on Sunday.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and at least three other airports have extended their operational suspensions until 6pm on Monday after volcanic ash forced them to halt flights, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.
Mount Anak Krakatau, located about 150 kilometres from the Indonesian capital, erupted on Saturday, sending lava and volcanic ash into the atmosphere.
Eight airports suspended operations over the weekend after volcanic ash was detected in their airspace, disrupting hundreds of flights and leaving more than 170,000 passengers stranded, according to Indonesia’s Transport Ministry.
At least four airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, will remain closed from Monday morning until 6pm local time, airport operator Angkasa Pura said in a social media post.
“Due to the increased eruptive activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, flight operations at several airports have been suspended. Passengers are advised to continue checking their flight status with their respective airlines,” the operator said.
