This Sunday, Indonesian authorities suspended operations at Jakarta’s international airport after the eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano, located more than 150 kilometers from the capital, affecting more than 200 flights and at least 20,000 passengers.
The airport’s operations, which had initially been suspended until 09:30 (02:30 GMT), will be “until 13:30” (06:30 GMT), the airport announced on Instagram, due to the “intensification of eruptive activity” of the volcano.
Tests indicated “the dispersion of volcanic ash in the area of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport” leading to “the closure of the airport,” the Ministry of Transport said in a Sunday morning statement.
The Anak Krakatoa volcano, which means “child of Krakatoa,” began erupting on Saturday, with lava flows and detonations audible up to 700 kilometers, the volcanology agency said in a statement.
Two new eruptions were recorded on Sunday, the agency specified.
The ash spread into the airspace of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, prompting authorities to suspend operations on Sunday from 01:30 (18:30 GMT).
The suspension affected 209 aircraft movements and involved more than 22,000 passengers, the ministry added, noting that the most affected international connection was the one to Singapore.
Additionally, 16 international flights were cancelled, seven delayed and five rescheduled, the ministry further stated, specifying that the routes involved included Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
