Anak Krakatau Eruption Causes Flight Chaos, Affects Thousands of Passengers

An eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in Java has forced the closure of six airports and led to nearly 3,000 flight cancellations, leaving over 340,000 passengers stranded.

Immediate Impact on Airports

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta was the first to close on Sunday morning after ash was detected in the airspace near the airport. Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, reported that 467 flights were affected and urged airlines to divert routes.

The closure extended to five other airports, totaling six disrupted terminals. The Ministry of Transportation stated that operations were suspended primarily for flights to and from Singapore, as well as international routes such as Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.

High Ash Levels and Safety Measures

According to the BMKG meteorological agency, ash reached an altitude of 6,000 meters over Java and 15,000 meters west of the volcano, on the Sumatra side. The health minister urged residents to stay indoors and wear face masks to protect themselves from respiratory, eye, and skin risks.

Local newspaper Kompas reported that several schools canceled activities and fishermen suspended trips due to eye irritation caused by the dust. A resident, Aldi Candra Prayogi, described the sensation of “small grains of sand” in his eyes and needed to use eye drops to relieve the irritation.

Gradual Resumption of Flights

Airports began to reopen on Tuesday after ash removal and airworthiness inspections. Minister Purwagandhi admitted that flight schedules would still take time to return to normal, but stated that three flights had already departed shortly after Soekarno-Hatta reopened.

Airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia confirmed that ash had been cleared from the runway and other critical areas, ensuring safety for air operations.

History of Anak Krakatau

The volcano, which means “Child of Krakatau,” emerged from the sea in the early last century within the caldera formed after the eruption of Mount Krakatoa in 1883. In December 2018, Anak Krakatau collapsed, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.

The Pacific Ring of Fire, where Indonesia is located, encompasses 75% of the planet's active volcanoes, with approximately 452 individual active volcanoes. Indonesia has over 120 active volcanoes and frequently records eruptions due to its tectonic position.

Impact on International Routes

The airport closures affected international destinations, especially in Singapore and other Asian routes. Passengers were advised to follow airline updates for refunds and future flight information to avoid overcrowding at terminals.

With information from BBC, Euronews.com, Estadão.