Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts Jakarta airport operations

Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano has been erupting since Friday night, forcing the suspension of flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta. The disruption was triggered by volcanic ash that reached the airport on Sunday morning, according to the country's transport ministry. The suspension affected 209 flights, including several international services.

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The airport said the decision was taken because of the ash cloud linked to the ongoing eruption. The transport ministry said the volcano had been active since the night of 4 September, and that ash was detected at the airport the following morning. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said there was no imminent tsunami risk from the eruption.

The ash fall was not limited to the capital's main airport. Officials said it also affected activity in Lampung, on Sumatra, and in Banten, on Java. The disaster agency's spokesperson, Berton Panjaitan, said the wider ash dispersion had disrupted daily life in those provinces.

Local reports said several schools cancelled activities on Saturday, while some residents experienced eye irritation and fishermen stayed ashore. The incident is significant because Soekarno-Hatta is one of Indonesia's busiest transport hubs and the suspension affected both domestic and international travel. Volcanic ash can pose a risk to aircraft engines and visibility, which often leads aviation authorities to halt operations until conditions improve.

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The disruption also shows how volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait region can quickly affect a wide area of western Indonesia. Anak Krakatau has a history of close monitoring because of its location and past destructive activity. In 2018, part of the mountain collapsed and triggered a tsunami in the Sunda Strait, making any renewed eruption a matter of public concern.

That earlier disaster remains a reference point for Indonesian authorities when assessing whether volcanic activity could threaten nearby communities or transport routes. What remains unclear is how long flight operations will stay suspended and when ash conditions will allow a full resumption. Authorities have not indicated any tsunami threat, but they are continuing to monitor the eruption and its spread.

The next developments will depend on volcanic activity, ash movement and the ability of airport officials to safely restore services.

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