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🇸🇬 Singapore /Energy & Infrastructure

Jakarta airports reopen after Anak Krakatau ash disruption

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • All eight Indonesian airports temporarily closed because of Anak Krakatau volcanic ash reopened on Sept. 8, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports.
  • The disruption affected 2,961 domestic and international flights and about 341,000 passengers over three days.
  • Airlines began adding relief flights and rebooking passengers, but analysts warned that schedules could take hours or longer to fully recover.

Indonesia’s eight airports closed by volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau have reopened, but airlines still face a major backlog after three days of disruption.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport reopened at 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 8, followed 10 minutes later by Halim Perdanakusuma airport. The other six affected airports also resumed operations. The eruption of Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, had sent ash towards Jakarta and forced the closures from Sept. 4.

Coordinating Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono said 2,961 domestic and international flights and about 341,000 passengers had been affected. Some passengers were stranded at airports, while others cancelled their journeys. Passengers whose flights were cancelled were entitled to full refunds, including those who had booked through online travel agents. Free buses and trains were also provided for travellers diverted through alternative airports.

When an airport is opened, it means that operationally the airport can be used, but it does not necessarily mean that all flights will immediately return to normal.

· Polana PramestiThe Indonesian Aviation Association analyst explained why flight disruptions continued after the airport reopenings.

Singapore Airlines said it would add eight relief flights between Singapore and Jakarta, subject to seat availability, and progressively rebook affected passengers. Disruptions continued on Sept. 8, including one cancelled Jakarta-Singapore flight and six services that were retimed.

The reopening did not immediately restore normal schedules. Aviation analyst Polana Pramesti said aircraft and crews could be left in the wrong locations after a prolonged closure, while crew duty limits and the rebooking of displaced passengers could slow the recovery. “When an airport is opened, it means that operationally the airport can be used, but it does not necessarily mean that all flights will immediately return to normal,” she said. “Recovery of the flight network can take several hours or even longer.”

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported improving conditions. Tests at all eight airports were negative for volcanic ash as of 6 a.m. At 9 a.m., ash was being monitored at altitudes of up to 7,000 feet, moving south to south-west towards north-western Banten and the Indian Ocean.

Recovery of the flight network can take several hours or even longer.

· Polana PramestiHer warning about the time needed to restore normal flight schedules.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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