Indonesia suspends operations at main airport after volcanic eruption

Indonesia halted operations at its main international airport outside Jakarta after ash from Mount Anak Krakatoa reached the airport’s airspace, more than 150 kilometres from the volcano. More than 22,000 passengers were affected, while 209 flights were disrupted.

The eruption began on Saturday, when Anak Krakatoa sent a fountain of lava into the air. Booming sounds from the eruption could be heard up to 700 kilometres away, according to the geology agency. The volcanology agency recorded two further eruptions on Sunday.

Authorities suspended operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport from 1:30 a.m. Sunday after tests indicated volcanic ash in the area. The transport ministry said the closure was extended until 9:30 a.m., and the airport later extended the suspension by another four hours "due to increased eruptive activity."

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The latest paper test…showed positive results indicating the spread of volcanic ash in the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport area, consequently the airport closure was extended until Sunday at 09:30 am (0230 GMT).

International flights were particularly affected on routes to and from Singapore. Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur were also affected, while local airport authorities said at least 16 domestic flights to Bali had been cancelled. Ships passing through the strait between Java and Sumatra were told to increase vigilance and stay outside a three-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano.

Anak Krakatoa, meaning Child of Krakatoa, emerged from the sea in the caldera created by the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa. That disaster killed an estimated 35,000 people. Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates produces frequent volcanic and seismic activity.

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due to increased eruptive activity