September 2, 2026 | 05:36 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The eruption of Mount Sinabung in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, which began on Monday afternoon, August 31, 2026, disrupted several flights to and from Kualanamu International Airport in Deliserdang Regency, North Sumatra.
State-run air navigation firm AirNav Indonesia temporarily closed Kualanamu Airport on Tuesday from 10:50 to 12:45 WIB under Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) A3250/26. A total of 21 flights were canceled between August 31 and Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The Kualanamu airport's management, PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi, emphasized that passenger safety and flight security remain the top priority. He added that airport authorities continue to coordinate closely with stakeholders to monitor field developments, ensuring all operational decisions adhere to safety and security standards.
"KNO operations reopened yesterday starting at 14:07 WIB. Today, operations have fully returned to normal," said Acting Director of Operations and Services of PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi Dedy Sri Cahyono via a brief message on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Dedy further explained that drifting volcanic ash forced several airlines to adjust flight schedules, leading to delays, timing changes, and cancellations across domestic and international routes. Prospective passengers and airport visitors are advised to monitor official updates regarding ongoing flight operations.
"We will continue to issue updates based on ongoing developments and official reports from relevant authorities," he added.
Meanwhile, the alert status for Mount Sinabung has been raised from Level II (Waspada/Caution) to Level III (Siaga/Watch). The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) elevated the status after the volcano spewed ash columns reaching up to 3,500 meters above its peak alongside sustained seismic activity.
Sinabung Volcano Observation Post Head Armen Putra stated that visual and seismic monitoring indicated magma movement toward the surface. This activity threatens to destabilize the old lava dome, potentially triggering a major eruption comparable to those recorded in 2019 and 2020. He confirmed that ash plumes generated by the eruption caused temporary disruptions to flight traffic.
"If the eruption continues and reaches a significant height, and the wind direction remains the same, Kualanamu will be at risk. But flight operations have resumed," he said.
Read: 615 Residents Evacuated as Mount Sinabung Eruption Threat Grows
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