Indonesia's AirNav Launches New Communication Network to Speed Up Volcanic Ash and Airport Closure Alerts
Indonesia's air navigation provider AirNav has launched a new national communication network called Jarkompenas, designed to speed up information sharing about volcanic ash and airport closures. The system connects domestic aviation facilities, meteorological agencies, and international partners across the Asia-Pacific region, potentially reducing delays in alerts that affect flights over volcanic areas including Bali.
AirNav Indonesia, the country's air navigation service provider, announced that its new national communication network, Jarkompenas, reached full operational status on August 31, 2026. According to AirNav's Technical Director Zainal Arifin Harahap, the system was developed in response to recurring disruptions to flight operations, including those caused by volcanic ash, and is designed to make the distribution of informationāsuch as airport closure noticesāfaster and more accessible.
The network connects not only AirNav's head office and branch offices but also multiple air navigation service facilities, along with external stakeholders including airport operator Angkasa Pura, the Ministry of Transportation, Indonesia's disaster management agency (BNPB), the meteorological agency (BMKG), and international partners across the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, communication between specific locations required dedicated network links; the new system now allows direct point-to-point communication between any two locations nationwide. For example, a connection between Tanjung Pinang and Singapore previously required its own dedicated link routed through Jakarta, but is now directly connected.
This enhanced communication infrastructure is expected to improve the speed of information sharing regarding airport closures triggered by volcanic ash, potentially benefiting flights in volcanically active regions including those serving Bali. However, this announcement itself does not indicate any new volcanic eruption or airport closureāit is an infrastructure improvement to existing aviation information systems.
Things to Consider
This announcement does not indicate a new eruption or airport closure, but travelers to Bali and surrounding areas should still make it a habit to check airline websites and Indonesia's meteorological agency (BMKG) for updates before flights, since volcanic ash-related cancellations can occur without much warning. Consider travel insurance and reconfirm flight status a few hours before departure.
Source: Kompas.com