Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Transportation temporarily closed Minangkabau International Airport in Padang, West Sumatra on Friday (19/1/2024), after Mount Marapi erupted and spewed volcanic ash. "The eruption of Mount. Marapi is dynamic. We will continue to monitor this situation and coordinate intensively with relevant stakeholders to ensure safety, security, and flight comfortability," said Director General of Air Transportation at the ministry M. Kristi Endah Murni. She said that Mount Marapi released volcanic ash again, as determined from a test conducted by the Airport Authority Office Region VI in Padang, antaranews.com reported. "I hope that the public, especially passengers, can understand this force majeure. We received information that there are 16 flights potentially affected by the airport closure, (and) we continue to update this," Director General Kristi said. Minangkabau International Airport's closure was announced on Friday through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM),  stating that the airport would remain closed from 2.15 pm until further notice. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) recorded that Mount Marapi spewed an ash column reaching 500 meters above the peak, or 3,391 m above sea level. (mg/inp/pr/nm)