Indonesia's main airport extends closure as Child of Krakatoa eruption disrupts flights

Anak Krakatau erupts, sending volcanic ash hundreds of kilometers away, including Jakarta. Photo: Kementerian ESDM.

JAKARTA, Sept 6 (TokoKata) — Indonesia's main international airport in Jakarta extended a temporary suspension of flight operations on Sunday as volcanic ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau spread across parts of Java and Sumatra.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, initially halted operations until 5:30 a.m. local time, later extending the closure to 9:30 a.m. and then to 1:30 p.m., airport authorities said.

The airport was reassessing the number of flights affected by the eruption. Earlier data from the Transport Ministry showed 209 flights had been cancelled or disrupted, including 160 domestic, 39 international and 10 cargo flights, affecting about 22,798 passengers.

Passengers stranded at the airport began seeking refunds and collecting their baggage, while flight information boards showed widespread cancellations.

Authorities advised passengers to check their flight status directly with airlines before travelling to the airport.

Anak Krakatau is an active volcano that grew from the remains of the famous Krakatoa volcano.

In 1883, Krakatoa produced one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Much of the volcanic island collapsed into the sea.

Afterward, volcanic activity continued beneath the Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra. In 1927, a new volcanic cone emerged from the sea. It became known as Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatoa.”

Five airports affected

Five airports had been closed or temporarily suspended operations because of volcanic ash by 10:25 a.m. local time, according to Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) chief Teuku Faisal.

They were Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Raden Inten II in Lampung, Budiarto Airport in Curug and Pondok Cabe Airport.

Halim Perdanakusuma was scheduled to remain closed until 2 p.m., while Raden Inten II, Budiarto and Pondok Cabe were also expected to remain closed until around 2 p.m.

The closures have complicated plans for a government weather-modification operation aimed at reducing the impact of volcanic ash.

"We will shift the operation, possibly from Halim or Husein Sastranegara," Teuku Faisal said on Sunday, referring to airports in Jakarta and Bandung.

The operation would be launched from an airport unaffected by the ash, he said.

National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) chief Suharyanto said weather modification could help remove volcanic ash from the air by triggering rainfall.

"The weather modification operation is intended to help improve air conditions, particularly so that volcanic ash can settle," Suharyanto said.

If operations could not be launched from Halim, Bandung could be used as an alternative base, he said.

Ash spreads across Java and Sumatra

Anak Krakatau has been erupting since July 2, with activity intensifying late Friday and early Saturday.

According to observations by Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre and analysis of Himawari-9 satellite imagery, volcanic ash was detected in two main areas.

Ash extending from the surface to about 50,000 feet was moving towards the southwest and northwest, covering parts of Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, South Sumatra and West Sumatra, as well as parts of the southern Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean west of the affected provinces.

A second ash plume extending to about 20,000 feet was moving southeast to south, affecting parts of Banten and West Java and surrounding waters.

The Geological Agency has prohibited people, tourists and climbers from entering within 3 km of the volcano's centre of activity because of the risk of incandescent material, heavy ash and volcanic gases.

Anak Krakatau remains at Level III, or Alert.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the eruption and ash movement, with aviation operations particularly vulnerable to changes in volcanic ash concentration and direction.