By Benson Daniel
A powerful eruption from Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano has caused widespread disruption to air travel, leaving about 170,000 passengers affected as volcanic ash forced the closure of several airports across the country.
The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, became increasingly active over the weekend, sending large plumes of ash into the atmosphere and disrupting aviation across the region. Authorities have kept seven airports closed, including Jakarta’s main Soekarno Hatta International Airport, as they continue to assess the risks posed by volcanic ash.
The eruption began late Friday and continued for more than 24 hours, with ash clouds rising as high as 50,000 feet. Although the main eruptive episode eased on Sunday, the volcano remained active, prompting authorities to maintain restrictions around affected airspace and airports.
The disruption has affected thousands of flights, with different assessments putting the number of delayed, cancelled or otherwise disrupted services at more than 2,000. The aviation shutdown has affected hundreds of thousands of travellers in the latest estimates, although earlier figures put the number directly stranded at about 170,000.
Soekarno Hatta, one of Southeast Asia’s busiest aviation hubs, has been particularly affected. Airlines have cancelled or rescheduled services, while passengers have faced long waits as carriers work to arrange alternative flights.
Volcanic ash presents a serious danger to aircraft because the fine particles can damage engines, reduce visibility and interfere with aircraft systems. Authorities have therefore prioritised aviation safety while monitoring the movement of the ash cloud and assessing conditions around individual airports.
The eruption has also affected daily life in communities around Jakarta and other areas. Schools in several provinces have moved classes online as a precaution because of concerns over ash exposure. Residents have been advised to wear masks and limit outdoor activities where ashfall is heavy.
Indonesia’s disaster and aviation authorities have continued to monitor Anak Krakatau for further activity. The volcano remains one of the country’s most closely watched volcanic sites because of its location in a heavily populated and strategically important part of the archipelago.
Anak Krakatau is the volcanic island that emerged from the caldera left by the catastrophic Krakatau eruption of 1883. The earlier eruption had devastating consequences and remains one of the most powerful volcanic events recorded in modern history.
The volcano also triggered a deadly tsunami in December 2018 when part of its flank collapsed into the sea. More than 400 people were killed in that disaster, demonstrating the potential danger posed by activity around the Sunda Strait.
For travellers caught up in the latest disruption, the immediate priority remains finding alternative routes and waiting for airlines and airport authorities to determine when operations can safely resume.
Authorities have stressed that the airport closures are precautionary and will be reviewed as ash conditions improve. At least one affected airport had already resumed operations, while seven others remained shut as of Monday.
The latest eruption is another reminder of Indonesia’s exposure to volcanic hazards. The country sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 120 active volcanoes, making volcanic activity a recurring challenge for communities, transport networks and the country’s large tourism industry.
For now, airlines and passengers face continued uncertainty as authorities watch Anak Krakatau closely for signs of renewed activity and assess when the skies over the affected regions will be safe for normal operations.
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