Anak Krakatau eruption paralyzes air travel, disrupting more than 270,000 passengers

The eruption of Anak Krakatau has brought air travel across Indonesia close to a standstill. Jakarta’s main international airport and at least three other airports were due to remain closed until Monday evening, while more than 270,000 passengers across the country faced cancellations, delays or altered routes.

The disruption began after the volcano’s activity intensified. Airport operator Angkasa Pura said on social media that flight operations at several airports had been suspended “because of increased eruptive activity at Mount Anak Krakatau.” At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport alone, 243 domestic and international services were canceled or delayed on Monday morning, affecting almost 30,000 people.

The volcano became active on Friday, sending lava into the air and producing explosions heard hundreds of kilometers away. Further eruptions were recorded on Sunday, prompting the temporary suspension of flights at eight airports.

The impact also extended beyond Indonesia. Singapore Airlines canceled all flights to Soekarno-Hatta and offered an alternative route through Surabaya in East Java. Passengers, however, had to arrange and pay for their own travel to or from that city.

Indonesia’s volcanology agency warned that the main dangers included ejected incandescent rocks, heavy ashfall and possible lava flows. Volcanic ash in the air also poses a direct threat to aircraft engines. Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity. The article also notes that fires have burned more than 200,000 hectares of forests and peatlands since the start of the year.

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Because of increased eruptive activity at Mount Anak Krakatau, flight operations at several airports have been suspended.