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🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates /Disasters & Emergencies

More than 341,000 travellers affected as seven Indonesian airports remain closed by volcanic ash

From Gulf Today · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Seven Indonesian airports remained closed after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau caused delays, diversions and cancellations affecting about 341,000 travellers.
  • The disruption involved 2,961 flights, officials said, while Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport was due to remain closed until 23:59 on Monday local time.
  • Authorities said the closure would allow crews to clear airport surfaces and give airlines time to prepare their fleets.

Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau kept seven Indonesian airports closed on Monday, disrupting travel for about 341,000 people. Two of the affected airports serve Jakarta, where ash has blanketed the capital and surrounding areas.

Officials said 2,961 flights had been delayed, diverted or cancelled because of the ash. The volcano lies between the islands of Java and Sumatra and began erupting late on Friday.

Jakarta’s main airport, Soekarno-Hatta, was scheduled to remain closed until 23:59 on Monday local time, according to its operator. The duration of the wider disruption remained unclear.

Indonesia’s chief infrastructure minister, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, announced the number of affected travellers. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the Jakarta closure would give crews time to clean the runway, taxiway and apron, while allowing airline operators to prepare their fleets.

to give the airport time to clean the runway, taxiway and apron

· Dudy PurwagandhiIndonesia’s transport minister explained the purpose of closing Jakarta’s main airport.
About this summary

Originally published by Gulf Today in English. Translated, 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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