Another eruption of Anak Krakatau has caused major disruption to Indonesia’s air traffic, suspending hundreds of movements at Jakarta’s international airport and leaving thousands of passengers facing cancellations, delays and uncertainty over whether their journeys will continue.
Volcanic ash blocks Jakarta’s main airport
According to Indonesian authorities, 209 flights were suspended at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after volcanic ash was detected in airspace near the capital on Sunday morning.
The disruption has affected more than 22,000 passengers and has hit routes to and from Singapore especially hard. Destinations also affected include Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
According to the official statement, the suspension of operations was extended until 1:30 p.m., creating another episode of chaos at one of the region’s most important air hubs.
Strong activity since Friday
Anak Krakatau entered a phase of intense activity late on Friday. Authorities reported successive eruptions, seismic tremors, lava flows and loud noises in surrounding areas.
Two more eruptions were recorded early on Sunday, indicating that the situation remains unstable and is having a direct impact on daily life and the movement of residents.
Residents face ashfall, schools and fishermen pull back
So far, there has been no tsunami warning from the latest activity, according to the official version. However, that has not eased the impact on the ground, where volcanic ash has created problems for communities near the volcano.
The Health Ministry has urged citizens to stay indoors and use masks to avoid irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Some schools have canceled activities after students and residents reported eye irritation, while fishermen have suspended trips to sea because of the presence of ash.
A volcano with a tragic history
Anak Krakatau, known as the “Child of Krakatoa,” is located in the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
The volcano remains a sensitive site not only because of its frequent activity, but also because of memories of December 2018, when the collapse of part of it triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active zones for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, so every such episode brings immediate consequences for transport, the local economy and public safety.
For now, the most visible impact is on air traffic and communities near the eruption zone, while the situation depends on the further intensity of volcanic activity and on operational decisions by Indonesian authorities.