Indonesia closes eight airports after Anak Krakatoa eruption strands more than 150,000 passengers

An eruption of Anak Krakatoa forced Indonesia to close eight airports, including Jakarta’s main international airport, after volcanic ash spread through the surrounding airspace. The disruption initially affected more than 150,000 passengers and 467 flights, including 58 international services and 409 domestic flights.

The closure of Soekarno-Hatta airport began early Sunday and authorities extended it several times, eventually keeping it in place until 11:59 p.m. local time. By midday, the disruption had affected 516 flight movements, including 202 at Soekarno-Hatta alone.

Indonesia’s Transport Ministry said analysis detected volcanic ash near the airport. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, as well as four other airports, including Radin Inten II in Lampung. Ash also reached Bandar Lampung, where it covered parked cars and highways.

Anak Krakatoa erupted on Saturday, sending out lava and explosions that Indonesia’s volcanology agency said could be heard up to 700 kilometers away. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted twice again on Sunday.

No casualties were reported and authorities issued no evacuation order. The nearest settlement lies more than 16 kilometers away, but officials warned residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometers from the active crater. Volcanic ash can endanger aircraft engines, and the aviation authorities said they were monitoring the eruption while coordinating with airlines, airports and navigation services. Schools in several Indonesian cities also suspended in-person classes.

“

These closures left 150,000 passengers stranded and affected 467 flights, of which 58 were international and 409 domestic.