Anak Krakatau eruption forces cancellation of 301 flights in Indonesia

Anak Krakatau’s eruption stranded tens of thousands of passengers at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport after volcanic ash was detected in the airspace near the country’s main international airport.

The eruption on Saturday produced lava and booming sounds audible as far as 700 kilometers away, according to Indonesia’s Geological Agency. Two more eruptions were recorded on Sunday. The disruption affected 301 flights, including 58 international services, airport operator Angkasa Pura said.

Singapore Airlines canceled flights to and from Jakarta through the end of Sunday. Australia’s Qantas reported disruptions to several of its services, including the cancellation of that day’s flights to and from the Indonesian capital.

Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG, said ash rose to 6,000 meters on the Java side of the volcano and 15,000 meters on the Sumatra side. Ash also reached parts of Banten province on Java. The eruption disrupted some schools and fishing businesses, according to the Geological Agency.

Volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aircraft. It can stick to hot engine components, rapidly wear turbine blades, clog fuel and air systems, and damage cockpit windshields.

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disruptions to several Qantas flights, including the cancellation of today's flights to and from Jakarta