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Indonesia's Main Airport Suspends Flights Due to Volcano Eruption
Confirmed
In Short: Flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta have been suspended due to volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, affecting over 200 flights.
The Anak Krakatau volcano has been erupting since Friday, with ongoing activity prompting the suspension of flight operations at Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located outside Jakarta. According to reports, the airport's suspension has extended to 9:30am local time (12:30pm AEST), affecting 209 flights, including several international ones, as of Sunday morning.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency stated that there is no imminent risk of a tsunami from the volcano, urging the public to remain calm while increasing vigilance. The suspension has disrupted activities in Lampung province in Sumatra and Banten province on Java, with more than 200 flights affected.
Several schools in the area cancelled activities on Saturday due to eye irritation from the ash, while local fishermen also cancelled their fishing trips. Ash was identified as high as 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) on the Java side of the volcano and up to 15,000 metres (50,000 ft) on the Sumatra side and some parts of Banten province, according to the country's meteorological agency.
Singapore Airlines was among the carriers affected, cancelling two flights to and from Jakarta on Saturday and delaying two more into Sunday. The suspension of flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was due to increased eruptive activity of the volcano, which is located more than 150km (93 miles) away. The airport's earlier suspension had been due to end at 5:30am (22:30 GMT Saturday), affecting 33 flights, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays.
Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa said that safety remains the top priority in every operational decision, including flight schedule adjustments made by airlines. Authorities will continue monitoring the situation with airlines, air navigation services, and Indonesia's meteorological agency. Two new eruptions were recorded on Sunday, according to the volcanology agency.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.