Flights suspended at Indonesia's main airport due to volcanic eruption
Indonesia’s primary gateway, Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport, halted all flight operations early Sunday after ash from an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa was detected in its surrounding airspace. The volcano, which sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began erupting on Saturday, sending a lava fountain aloft and generating “booming sounds and tremors” that residents across the country reported. Airport authorities suspended services at 1:30 a.m. local time, extending the closure until 9:30 a.m. (0230 GMT) after a paper test confirmed the presence of volcanic ash near the airport.
The shutdown impacted more than 22,000 passengers and forced the cancellation of 209 flights, with the most significant disruptions to routes to and from Singapore. Additional services to Doha, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and at least 16 domestic flights to Bali were also scrubbed, according to the transport ministry and local airport officials. The ash plume’s spread into the airport’s airspace prompted the precautionary measures, reflecting the agency’s concern for aircraft safety amid volcanic particulate hazards.
While the eruption’s immediate effect was the temporary grounding of flights, authorities continue to monitor the volcano’s activity, and the situation remains fluid. The transport ministry’s statement underscored that the closure could be extended if ash conditions persist, potentially affecting further international and domestic connections. Travelers and airlines are awaiting updates as the volcano’s behavior is tracked, highlighting the broader vulnerability of Indonesia’s heavily trafficked air routes to natural disruptions.
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