Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel across Indonesia, with authorities extending airport closures as weather conditions remain uncertain.
Seven Indonesian airports, including two serving Jakarta, remained closed Monday morning as volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel, Indonesia’s transport minister said.
The eruption has sent ash across Jakarta and surrounding areas since late Friday, prompting authorities to suspend airport operations over safety concerns. The volcano is located between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
The transport ministry said flight disruptions had affected about 170,000 passengers. Authorities extended the suspension at Jakarta’s main airport until 6 p.m. Monday local time, along with six other airports, according to the airport authority.
The affected airports also include facilities serving the nearby provinces of Lampung and West Java.
“We cannot ascertain when this will end due to the dynamic weather,” Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said.
According to a ministry statement issued Sunday, 1,558 flights had been delayed across the eight affected airports, leaving about 170,000 passengers stranded. More than 900 affected flights were reportedly linked to cancellations, according to the statement.
The continued presence of volcanic ash has complicated efforts to restore normal flight operations, with authorities monitoring weather and ash conditions before allowing airports to reopen.
Airborne volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, particularly because ash particles can affect engines and other critical components. Airports may therefore suspend operations when ash clouds threaten flight paths or airport facilities.
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