Suspension of flights at Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta Airport due to volcanic ash
Kuala Lumpur, Sept 6 (KUNA) -- Indonesian authorities announced on Sunday the suspension of flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport due to volcanic ash resulting from the ongoing eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, which has impacted flight safety. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Indonesian Ministry of Transport stated in a press release that the suspension of air operations at the airport was extended following the continued detection of volcanic ash in the airport area. The directorate added that the latest extension was issued in accordance with an official civil aviation notice, while it continues to coordinate with airlines, airport management, air navigation service providers, and the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) to monitor developments in the ash dispersion. It clarified that affected international routes included flights connected to Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Incheon, Doha, Amsterdam, and Kuala Lumpur.
For its part, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics stated in a release that it has intensified round-the-clock monitoring of the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau and its impacts on the atmosphere, air traffic, and maritime conditions in the Sunda Strait. The agency noted that analyzed satellite images showed two ash clouds extending over the regions of Banten, Jakarta, and West Java, reaching as far as Bengkulu. It added that volcanic ash at altitudes up to 20,000 feet moved eastward, northeastward, and southward, while ash also extended at altitudes up to 50,000 feet toward the southwest, west, and northwest.
It reported that the first special aviation warning was issued following the start of the eruption on Friday, and that the number of aviation warnings related to volcanic ash reached 50 as of today, aimed at ensuring air navigation safety.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Geological Agency under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau involves the ejection of glowing rocks and volcanic ash. The agency explained that the ongoing activity manifested as a lava fountain accompanied by lava flows and rumbling sounds, while residents in areas surrounding the mountain reported hearing loud noises and feeling tremors associated with the volcanic activity. It confirmed that the activity level of Anak Krakatau remains at Level 3, a state of alert since July 2 last year, and has prohibited residents, visitors, and tourists from entering the area within a three-kilometer radius of the volcanic activity center.
Mount Anak Krakatau is located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. It formed within a large volcanic basin created after parts of the Krakatau volcano collapsed following its catastrophic eruption in 1883, which triggered widespread tsunami waves. The collapse of a portion of Anak Krakatau on December 22, 2018, caused tsunami waves that struck several coasts around the strait. (End)
