Volcano in Indonesia closes 8 airports and disrupts hundreds of flights
Jakarta (AFP) – Indonesia suspended operations at its main international airport on the outskirts of Jakarta on Sunday, along with hundreds of flights at seven other airports, following the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano 150 kilometers from the capital, disrupting the plans of thousands of travelers.
Anak Krakatau erupted on Saturday, sending up a plume of lava and producing loud sounds audible up to 700 kilometers away, according to Indonesia’s Geological Agency.
Volcanic ash was detected in the airspace surrounding Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, prompting authorities to suspend operations there from 1:30 a.m. on Sunday (18:30 GMT on Saturday).
In a statement, the Transport Ministry said test results “indicated the spread of volcanic ash in the area of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and therefore the airport closure was extended on Sunday until 5:30 a.m.”
Later, the ministry announced in a separate statement that operations were also suspended at seven other airports.
Transport Minister Dudi Burwandi said at a press conference, “There were indications that Husein Sastranegara Airport was affected. Therefore, we announced the suspension of flights there.”
Among the other airports where flights were suspended was Raden Inten II International Airport, according to the minister.
He added that other airports across the country, including those in the cities of Semarang and Surabaya, had been prepared as “alternative sites” for incoming flights to land.
The Transport Ministry said, “Data indicates that more than 170,000 passengers were affected by the suspension of operations, with 1,558 flights affected so far across the eight airports.”
It added that Soekarno-Hatta International Airport bore the brunt of the disruptions, with more than 900 flights to and from the airport affected.
Heni Yensan, 44, who was planning to return to her hometown with her mother, said, “Everyone was feeling disappointed.”
The businesswoman, who was forced to postpone her flight until Tuesday, told AFP, “None of us were angry; after all, this happened due to a natural disaster.”
Samuel Gilberto, an executive at Danone traveling on a business trip to Lombok, said, “I found another flight with a different airline, but it was also canceled,” noting that he had no choice but to remain where he was until further notice.
The 47-year-old explained in a phone call with AFP, “I found another flight via Citilink, but it was also canceled,” adding that he had no option but to stay in Lombok for now.
Volcanic ash also reached the city of Bandar Lampung at the southern tip of Sumatra, covering parked cars and road curbs.
Andri Bayu Saputra, 25, told AFP on Sunday, “I am worried that it could seriously affect the lungs and cause respiratory diseases.”
Meanwhile, local authorities in the capital Jakarta said in a statement that schools would close across the city on Monday, switching to online learning, without specifying the duration of this measure.
Local port authorities urged ships passing through the strait to exercise caution in anticipation of any disruption to navigation safety resulting from volcanic activity, and prohibited them from approaching the volcano within a three-kilometer radius.
The volcano has been intermittently active since it emerged from the sea in the early 20th century, in the large crater formed after the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa.
That disaster was among the most destructive in history, with an estimated death toll of around 35,000 people.
Lana Sari, head of the state geological agency, said that “seismic activity indicates the movement or emission of volcanic fluids within the volcanic system,” but added, “however, it is not possible to accurately predict the timing, magnitude, or nature of the next eruption.”
Lana warned against approaching Anak Krakatau volcano, noting that ejected material could pose a danger to anyone within the restricted zone.
She ruled out the possibility that the recent series of eruptions would trigger a tsunami, noting that in 2018, a tsunami caused by the collapse of parts of Anak Krakatau volcano killed 429 people and displaced thousands.
