Anak Krakatau erupted on Saturday, sending a dense ash cloud that forced Indonesia to shut down operations at eight airports, including the main international hub at Soekarno‑Hatta. The ash cloud disrupted hundreds of flights, both domestic and international, as authorities suspended arrivals and departures at the affected airports.
The eruption produced lava and booming sounds that were audible up to 435 miles (700 km) away, according to the national geology agency. The event also caused schools to cancel activities and fishers to cancel trips. Two additional eruptions were recorded on Sunday, further heightening concerns.
Ash was detected in the airspace around Soekarno‑Hatta, prompting authorities to extend the shutdown until 9:30 pm local time. The suspension affected more than 200 flights, with Singapore Airlines canceling all services to and from Jakarta for the rest of the day and Qantas announcing disruptions and cancellations. Both airlines emphasized safety and offered assistance to affected customers.
The transport ministry said over 22,000 passengers and 209 flights were affected, including routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, and at least 16 domestic flights to Bali were cancelled. The disaster mitigation agency plans cloud‑seeding operations to wash ash away, while port authorities prohibited ships from entering a two‑mile radius of the volcano. The volcano, which emerged from the sea after the 1883 eruption that killed 35,000 people, remains a significant hazard for the region.
