Indonesia’s Main Airport Suspends Operations After Volcanic Eruption

Indonesia suspended operations at its main international airport near Jakarta on Sunday after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau entered surrounding airspace, disrupting hundreds of flights and affecting thousands of passengers.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang was initially closed in the early hours of Sunday after tests detected volcanic ash in the airport area. The suspension was repeatedly extended as eruptive activity increased.

Authorities later said operations would remain suspended until 5:30pm local time, with officials monitoring conditions before deciding when flights could safely resume.

The eruption of Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began on Saturday. Indonesia’s Geological Agency reported a fountain of lava and ash from the volcano.

Two additional eruptions were recorded on Sunday, prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance.

The Transportation Ministry said the disruption affected 209 flights and more than 22,000 passengers. International services involving Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha and Sydney were among those affected, while several domestic flights were also cancelled or diverted.

Operations were also suspended at several other airports as volcanic ash spread across parts of the region. Authorities prepared alternative airports in cities including Semarang and Surabaya to help manage the disruption.

Airlines began cancelling or rescheduling services, leaving passengers stranded at terminals and searching for alternative travel arrangements.

Officials stressed that flight safety remained the priority because volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines and other critical systems. The Transportation Ministry urged passengers scheduled to travel through Soekarno-Hatta to check directly with their airlines and avoid travelling to the airport until further notice.

Authorities also advised residents affected by ashfall to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activities, cover water sources and exercise caution while driving because ash can reduce visibility.

The volcano remains under an elevated alert status, with authorities maintaining a three-kilometre exclusion zone around Anak Krakatau. Ships travelling through the Sunda Strait were also advised to exercise caution and remain outside the restricted area.

Authorities said there was no immediate tsunami threat from the latest eruptions. However, officials warned that volcanic activity could change and urged communities to remain alert.

Anak Krakatau emerged from the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption, one of the deadliest volcanic disasters in history.