Indonesia's Main Airport Suspends Operations as Mount Anak Krakatau Erupts, Disrupting Hundreds of Flights

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport temporarily suspended flight operations on Sunday after volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Anak Krakatau drifted over the capital region. The sudden closure of the country's busiest aviation hub affected more than 200 flights, stranding thousands of passengers and causing widespread travel disruption.

Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began escalating activity late Friday. Satellite observations from Indonesia's meteorological agency (BMKG) showed that the eruption sent colossal ash plumes soaring as high as 20,000 feet on the Java side and up to 50,000 feet toward Sumatra and parts of Banten province. Aviation authorities conducted paper tests in the early hours of Sunday that confirmed the dangerous presence of volcanic ash particles in the airspace surrounding Jakarta, prompting an extension of flight restrictions.

The Ministry of Transportation reported that 209 flights were disrupted, including multiple international routes connecting Jakarta to major hubs across Asia, and Europe. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines were forced to cancel or delay services. In addition to Soekarno-Hatta, authorities temporarily restricted operations at auxiliary facilities including Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Budiarto Airport in Tangerang, and Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung.

Beyond aviation, the heavy ashfall impacted daily life across neighboring provinces. Local media reported that several schools suspended outdoor activities and local fishing fleets remained docked after residents experienced eye irritation from falling debris. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) urged the public to remain calm while exercising heightened vigilance, advising residents to wear protective masks and eyewear, cover water sources, and exercise caution on ash-slicked roadways.

Authorities have confirmed there is no immediate risk of a tsunami, alleviating fears tied to the volcano's historical activity—most notably its 2018 eruption, which triggered a deadly local tsunami. Civil aviation officials stated that flight operations would resume progressively once air quality and visibility clear to safe thresholds, with continuous monitoring of volcanic movements underway.