Thousands of travelers faced major disruptions after Indonesian authorities suspended operations at the country’s main international airport near Jakarta following a powerful eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, which sent volcanic ash into nearby airspace and raised safety concerns for aviation authorities.
Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted on Saturday, producing dramatic lava fountains and thunderous sounds that were reportedly heard up to 700 kilometers away, according to Indonesia’s geology agency. Officials later confirmed that two additional eruptions occurred on Sunday, prompting heightened monitoring of the volcano’s activity
The volcanic ash cloud spread into the airspace surrounding Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s busiest aviation hub. As a result, airport operations were suspended from 1:30 a.m. local time on Sunday after tests detected ash contamination in the area.
Indonesia’s Transport Ministry said laboratory testing confirmed the presence of volcanic ash around the airport, forcing authorities to extend the closure until at least 9:30 a.m. local time. The suspension was later prolonged by an additional four hours due to continuing eruptive activity from the volcano.
The closure has affected more than 22,000 passengers and disrupted at least 209 flights, with services to and from Singapore among the hardest hit. Other international destinations affected by the disruption include Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur. Domestic air travel also suffered, with at least 16 flights to Bali canceled, according to airport authorities.
Anak Krakatoa, meaning “Child of Krakatoa,” is located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
The volcano has remained intermittently active since emerging from the sea in the early 20th century within the caldera created by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic disasters in recorded history.
As aviation authorities continue monitoring ash movement and volcanic activity, airlines and passengers remain on alert for further disruptions across Indonesia’s busy transportation network.
+ There are no comments
Add yours