Jakarta Airport Reopens as Anak Krakatau Ash Clears After Natural Disasters Disrupt 341,000 Passengers
Indonesia reopened Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and several other airports on Tuesday after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruptions cleared amid natural disasters, though fresh activity raised concerns about further disruptions to air travel. Ash from Anak Krakatau, which began erupting late Friday, blanketed Jakarta and surrounding areas, leading to the closure of eight airports and the disruption of nearly 3,000 flights affecting about 341,000 passengers. [1][4]
Airport Reopenings After Ash Clearance
Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma and four other airports resumed operations Tuesday after safety assessments confirmed conditions were safe; authorities must inspect all grounded aircraft before flights resume. [1][2] A Citilink Airbus took off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport as the airport reopened following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. [1] Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the operational closure of Soekarno-Hatta Airport and several other airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash has ended. [2] Authorities would check the airworthiness of 178 planes that were grounded at Soekarno-Hatta during the closure. [1] Indonesian Air Force aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base resumed normal operations Tuesday after the volcanic ash forced a two-day suspension of flights. [2]
Ongoing Volcanic Activity
The volcano remained active Tuesday with additional eruptions reported early in the morning, though ash column height could not be observed due to fog; it has been at Indonesia’s second-highest alert level since July. [1][4] Eruptions were reported at 5:08 a.m. and 5:34 a.m. [4] The continuous eruption of Anak Krakatau with lava fountains and loud booms ended Sunday but the volcanic island remained active Tuesday morning. [4] Authorities advised residents, tourists and fishermen to stay at least 3 kilometers from the active crater. [4][5]
Impact on Travelers and Domestic Helpers
Up to 200 Hong Kong-bound domestic helpers were among those stranded, with some diverted to unaffected airports such as Surabaya; contingency plans are in place if flights are suspended again. [3][4] Among those stranded are 150 to 200 helpers heading to Hong Kong. [3] Eight airports in Indonesia halted operations over the weekend, disrupting nearly 3,000 flights. [3] The airport closures Sunday and Monday disrupted nearly 2,961 flights, including 622 international services, and affected about 341,000 passengers. [4]
Safety Measures and Operational Resumption
Aviation authorities temporarily restrict aircraft from areas where ash has been detected because volcanic particles can damage engines and other critical systems. [2][4] Pilots and flight crews were also instructed to remain aware of restricted airspace zones established around areas affected by volcanic ash. [4] The government also authorized schools in areas affected by volcanic ash to shift temporarily to online learning to reduce students’ exposure to ash. [4] With flight operations restored, Indonesian Air Force aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma will resume strategic missions, including support for national disaster response. [2]
Context on Anak Krakatau and Indonesia’s Volcanoes
Anak Krakatau’s 2018 eruption triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people; Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 120 active volcanoes. [4][5] Anak Krakatau is a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait between Indonesia’s main islands of Java and Sumatra. [4] Its name means “child of Krakatau,” and the volcano is the offspring of the infamous Krakatau, whose monumental 1883 eruption triggered a period of global cooling. [4][5] Indonesia has more than 120 active volcanoes and frequently experiences eruptions due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the ring of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where most global seismic activity occurs. [4]
Natural Disasters and Flight Disruptions
“It’s a natural disaster, it’s a force majeure, so, what can we do?” said Michele Gouw, an Indonesian passenger. [5] The eruption also disrupted services at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and at Medan. [5] Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that it was closely monitoring the eruption's impact on air travel and coordinating with airlines, airport operators, air navigation services and the meteorology agency. [5] “Safety remains our top priority in every operational decision,” Lukman F. Laisa, Ministry of Transportation director general of civil aviation, said in a statement. [5]
What to watch next: The volcano remained at Indonesia’s second-highest alert level since July, and authorities advised residents, tourists and fishermen to stay at least 3 kilometers from the active crater while agencies monitor for further eruptions that could affect flights. [4][5]
