Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Indonesian Air Travel

An eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel and daily activities in parts of Indonesia. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta’s main airport, suspended flight operations for several hours because volcanic ash from the ongoing eruption was detected near the airport. The suspension was extended from the originally scheduled 5:30am local time to 9:30am, affecting 209 flights, including several international services, according to Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry. Mount Anak Krakatau began erupting late on Friday, and ash was detected at the airport early Sunday. The eruption has also affected Lampung province on Sumatra and Banten province on Java. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency, Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), said ashfall had disrupted activities in both provinces and urged residents to remain calm while increasing their vigilance. Authorities advised people to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activities, cover water sources and drive carefully because volcanic ash can reduce visibility. Several schools cancelled activities on Saturday, while students and residents reportedly experienced eye irritation. Fishermen also cancelled trips because of the eruption. Despite the disruption, BNPB said there was no imminent risk of a tsunami from Mount Anak Krakatau. The volcano is known for its past destructive activity, including an eruption in December 2018. The latest eruption has primarily caused aviation interruptions, ashfall and localized health and safety concerns, with authorities continuing to monitor conditions.

Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which serves Jakarta, suspended flight operations on September 6 after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau was detected over the capital and at the airport. The suspension was initially scheduled to last until 1:30 p.m. local time because of increased eruptive activity at the volcano, located more than 150 kilometers away. Anak Krakatau began erupting late on September 4, producing lava fountains and powerful sounds heard as far as 700 kilometers away, according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG. Two additional eruptions were recorded on September 6. BMKG reported ash at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters on the Java side of the volcano and volcanic plumes reaching 15,000 meters over the Sumatra side and parts of Banten province. An earlier airport closure had affected 33 flights, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays. Indonesia’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F Laisa, said the extension followed an aviation “paper test” confirming volcanic ash at the airport. He emphasized that passenger safety was the priority and that authorities would continue coordinating with airlines, air navigation services and the meteorological agency. Singapore Airlines was among the carriers affected, cancelling two flights to and from Jakarta and delaying two others. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said there was no immediate tsunami threat from the eruption. Anak Krakatau formed in the 1920s inside the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption. It has erupted periodically since then. A 2018 eruption caused part of its crater to collapse and generated a tsunami that killed more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra. The latest aviation disruption reflects the serious risks volcanic ash poses to aircraft, including potential jet-engine damage and reduced visibility.

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early Sunday, sending fountains of lava into the air and producing ash clouds that affected areas more than 150 kilometers away. The eruption disrupted air travel at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, where operations were suspended from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. local time because of volcanic ash. Indonesia’s transport ministry said the disruption affected more than 22,000 passengers and 209 flights, particularly services to and from Singapore. Indonesia’s geological and meteorological agencies reported that the eruption generated loud sounds audible as far as 700 kilometers away. Ash reached approximately 6,000 meters above the Java side of the volcano, while a plume rising as high as 15,000 meters was observed toward Sumatra and parts of Banten province. Ash also spread across Jakarta and Lampung province on southern Sumatra. Authorities reported no casualties and issued no evacuation orders. However, residents and visitors were warned to remain at least three kilometers from the volcano’s active crater. The closest township is more than 16 kilometers away. Two additional eruptions were recorded later on Sunday, indicating continuing volcanic activity. Anak Krakatau is located between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Its name means “Child of Krakatau,” referring to the volcano formed after the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatau, which had global climatic effects.