Volcanic Ash Disrupts Indonesian Flights, Stranding More Than 270,000 Passengers

Indonesia's main airport and three others delayed reopening on Monday after Mount Anak Krakatau erupted, disrupting flights and leaving more than 270,000 passengers stranded.

The volcano, about 150 kilometers from Jakarta, erupted on Saturday, sending lava into the air and spreading a plume of volcanic ash. Eight airports suspended operations over the weekend after ash entered their airspace, disrupting thousands of flights.

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We don't have any news from the airline. We don't know if we stay another day in Jakarta or find another flight.

At least four airports, including Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, extended their closures until 6 p.m. Halim Perdanakusuma, which handles civilian and military flights, also remained closed. A small airport in southern Sumatra resumed operations at 9 a.m. Monday.

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We are disappointed, but our group is optimistic, so we hope we can go to Flores Island very soon

Soekarno-Hatta reported that more than 240 domestic and international flights had been canceled or delayed by Monday morning, affecting nearly 30,000 passengers. Travelers described canceled plans and difficulty finding accommodation, although some remained hopeful of continuing their journeys.

Indonesia's geology agency warned that the probability of another eruption remained high. Agency head Lana Saria said the danger included incandescent rocks and heavy ashfall, as well as lava flows if the eruption resumed and continued.

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The threat from an eruption comes from the ejection of incandescent rocks accompanied by heavy ashfall. Another potential hazard arises from lava flows if the eruption resumes and continues.