Indonesia Airport Suspends Flights As Anak Krakatau Eruption Sends Volcanic Ash Towards Jakarta
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta suspended flight operations on Sunday after volcanic ash from the erupting Anak Krakatau was detected over the capital region. The disruption affected 209 flight movements and around 22,798 passengers, according to Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Flight Operations Suspended Due To Volcanic Ash
The airport initially suspended operations until 5:30 am local time, but the closure was later extended until 1:30 pm because of increased volcanic activity and the presence of ash around the airport.
Anak Krakatau, located more than 150 km from Jakarta, began erupting late on Friday. The eruption produced a fountain of lava and loud booming sounds that were reportedly heard up to 700 km away.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency recorded two more eruptions on Sunday, while the meteorological agency BMKG continued to track the movement of volcanic ash.
Ash Plumes Reach Thousands Of Metres
BMKG reported ash reaching around 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) on the Java side of the volcano.
A significantly higher plume, reaching up to 15,000 metres (50,000 feet), was reported towards the Sumatra side and parts of Banten province in Java.
A test conducted at Soekarno-Hatta between 12:35 am and 1:05 am confirmed the presence of volcanic ash at the airport, prompting authorities to continue the suspension.
209 Flight Movements Affected
The disruption at Indonesia’s main international airport affected 209 flight movements, with around 22,798 passengers impacted.
The affected services included 16 international cancellations, seven delays and five rescheduled flights.
Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa said safety remained the priority while airlines adjusted their schedules. Authorities were monitoring the situation in coordination with airlines, air navigation services and BMKG.
Singapore Airlines Among Carriers Hit
Singapore Airlines was among the carriers affected by the eruption. The airline cancelled two flights to and from Jakarta on Saturday and delayed two others into Sunday.
Further changes to flight schedules will depend on volcanic ash conditions and the safety assessment at the airport.
No Immediate Tsunami Threat
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said there was no imminent tsunami threat from the current eruption.
Anak Krakatau emerged from the sea in the 1920s within the caldera left behind by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic events in recorded history.
Why Volcanic Ash Is A Major Aviation Risk
Volcanic ash can be highly dangerous for aircraft because it can damage jet engines, affect engine performance and reduce visibility.
Anak Krakatau has erupted periodically over the years. In 2018, an eruption caused part of its crater to collapse and triggered a tsunami that struck the coasts of Java and Sumatra, killing more than 400 people.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the volcano and the movement of ash before determining when normal flight operations can resume.
