Jakarta airport closure extended as Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts flights

Jakarta’s main airport extended its closure by four hours on Sept. 6 as volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau continued to disrupt flights, including services between Singapore and Indonesia.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport had initially been scheduled to reopen at 9.30am local time. The regional airport authority later said it would remain closed until 1.30pm, or 2.30pm in Singapore. The earlier closure affected 209 flight movements and 22,798 passengers, figures that did not include the latest extension.

Flights between Jakarta and Singapore were among the worst-hit international services. Indonesia’s Directorate-General of Civil Aviation said 11 flight movements on the route were affected during the earlier closure. Singapore Airlines cancelled two flights on Sept. 5 and rescheduled two others. SQ968, from Singapore to Jakarta, moved from 9.55pm on Sept. 5 to 1.55pm on Sept. 6. SQ951, from Jakarta to Singapore, shifted from 5.25am to 3.50pm.

Other affected international routes included Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha, Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. During the earlier closure, 16 international flights were cancelled, seven delayed and five rescheduled. Singapore Airlines said the situation remained fluid and warned that other services between Singapore and Indonesia could also be affected.

Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta were closed until 10am, while Budiarto Airport in Tangerang was closed until 9.30am. Authorities warned that the disruption could affect aircraft rotations, fleet availability, later flight schedules and terminal capacity, urging travellers to check with their airlines before leaving for the airport.

Anak Krakatau, in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has been erupting since late Sept. 4. Indonesia’s meteorological agency said ash reached about 6,000 metres over Java and as high as 15,000 metres over Sumatra and parts of Banten. Port authorities in Banten also told vessels using the Sunda Strait to remain alert for ash, volcanic material and other hazards.