Volcanic ash disrupts 1,558 flights after Anak Krakatau shuts eight airports

Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted 1,558 flights and left about 170,000 passengers stranded after Indonesia temporarily closed eight airports.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the disruption affected both departures and arrivals. The government extended the closures until midnight to protect aviation safety.

The latest monitoring showed the ash moving eastward as winds reached five knots at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The Transport Ministry, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency, AirNav, airport operators and other stakeholders continued to evaluate the spread of the ash.

The affected airports included Soekarno-Hatta in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Radin Inten II in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara in Bandung, Budiarto in Curug, Pondok Cabe in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas in West Pesisir Lampung and Atung Bungsu in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.

The disruption also included cancellations originating at other airports. If airlines choose to redirect flights, the government identified Kertajati, Ahmad Yani in Semarang, Juanda in Surabaya, Yogyakarta International Airport and Solo as alternatives. InJourney and Angkasa Pura said they would provide free buses and trains for passengers redirected through those airports.

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So far, across the eight affected airports, 1,558 flights have been delayed, leaving 170,000 passengers stranded.