Indonesia Extends Main Airport Closure After Mount Anak Krakatoa Eruptions

Indonesia extended the closure of its main international airport after Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted again, leaving about 170,000 passengers stranded and disrupting air travel across the country.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, along with seven other airports, will remain closed until 8.59am on Sept. 7 because of increased eruptive activity, the airport authority said. The volcano’s ash had entered the airspace around the Jakarta airport, prompting authorities to suspend operations. The other affected airports include Husein Sastranegara in Bandung and Radin Inten II near Bandar Lampung on Sumatra.

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everybody was disappointed

The geology agency said Anak Krakatoa erupted on Sept. 5, sending up a lava fountain and producing booming sounds heard hundreds of kilometres away. Volcanology officials recorded two more eruptions on Sept. 6. The Transport Ministry said 1,558 flights had been delayed at the eight airports, including more than 900 flights to or from Soekarno-Hatta. Alternative landing arrangements were prepared at airports in cities including Semarang and Surabaya.

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nothing is certain for the moment

Passengers were left trying to find new routes. Henny Yensan, 44, said “everybody was disappointed” after she had to move her flight home with her mother to Sept. 8. Samuel Guiberteau, a Danone executive stranded in Lombok, said “nothing is certain for the moment” after an alternative Citilink flight was also cancelled.

Ash reached Bandar Lampung, covering parked cars and roadsides. “I’m worried it could seriously affect the lungs and cause a lung infection,” resident Andre Bayu Saputra said. Jakarta schools will close on Sept. 7 and shift classes online. Ships using the strait between Java and Sumatra were told to increase vigilance, while vessels are barred from approaching within three kilometres of the volcano.

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I’m worried it could seriously affect the lungs and cause a lung infection