Indonesia suspended operations at five airports on Sunday, with the primary impact affecting Soekarno-Hatta international airport near Jakarta. The closure was prompted by an ash cloud generated from eruptions of the Anak Krakatau volcano, which recorded activity on both Saturday and Sunday. According to the country’s geology agency, the initial eruption on Saturday produced lava and acoustic effects audible from distances up to 700 kilometers away.
The airport closure resulted in significant travel disruptions, with 301 flights suspended at the main Jakarta facility alone, encompassing 58 international routes. Additional sources indicated that more than 22,000 passengers were affected across the broader transportation network. Major carriers including Singapore Airlines and Qantas announced cancellations to and from Jakarta, while other international routes serving destinations such as Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur also experienced disruptions. Domestic services to Bali were similarly affected, with at least 16 flights cancelled.
The volcanic ash reached considerable altitudes, with measurements indicating heights of 6,000 metres on the Java side of the volcano and 15,000 metres on the Sumatra side. Ash detection in the airport airspace prompted repeated extensions of operational suspensions. The transport ministry confirmed positive test results indicating volcanic ash presence in the airport area. Beyond aviation impacts, the eruption also affected local communities, with several schools cancelling activities after residents experienced eye irritation, and fishing operations suspended as a precautionary measure.
Authorities implemented response measures to address the ash dispersal. The disaster mitigation agency announced plans for weather modification operations, potentially including cloud-seeding, intended to generate rainfall that would help remove ash from the atmosphere. Port authorities established safety protocols for maritime traffic, restricting ships from approaching within 3 kilometres of the volcano and instructing vessels to exercise heightened vigilance.
Anак Krakatau, situated in the strait between Java and Sumatra, has maintained sporadic activity since emerging from the sea following the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau, one of history’s deadliest volcanic events.
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