Indonesia’s main airport suspends flights as Anak Krakatau erupts

Indonesia’s main airport outside Jakarta suspended flights after ash from the erupting Mount Anak Krakatau reached the capital. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport said operations would stop until 1:30pm local time on Sunday because of “increased eruptive activity” at the volcano, located more than 150 kilometers away.

Anak Krakatau began erupting late on Friday, sending up a fountain of lava and producing booming sounds that the meteorological agency BMKG said could be heard up to 700 kilometers away. Indonesia’s volcanology agency warned of two further eruptions on Sunday.

BMKG reported ash at up to 6,000 meters on the Java side of the volcano, and a plume reaching 15,000 meters over the Sumatra side and parts of Banten province in Java. An earlier airport suspension, due to end at 5:30am, affected 33 flights, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays, according to the Transportation Ministry.

Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa said a paper test conducted overnight confirmed volcanic ash at the airport. “Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision, including flight schedule adjustments made by airlines,” he said. Authorities said they would continue monitoring conditions with airlines, air navigation services and BMKG.

Singapore Airlines cancelled two flights to and from Jakarta on Saturday and delayed two more into Sunday. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said there was no imminent tsunami risk. Anak Krakatau emerged in the caldera left by the 1883 Krakatoa eruption and has erupted periodically since, including in 2018, when a partial crater collapse triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. Volcanic ash can damage jet engines and reduce visibility.

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Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision, including flight schedule adjustments made by airlines.