Indonesia: the eruption of Anak Krakatoa seriously disrupts air traffic

Anak Krakatoa seriously disrupts air traffic in Indonesia. The authorities announced this Sunday that they had extended the suspension of activities at Jakarta international airport after the eruption of this volcano, located more than 150 kilometers from the capital.

In addition to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport and three others also located in the capital, the international airports of Bandung and Radin, located near Bandar Kampung in Sumatra, were closed, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said during a press conference. In total, six Indonesian airports are therefore closed.

Jakarta International Airport announced that it would extend the suspension of flights until 5:30 p.m. while 209 flights and 22,000 passengers have already been affected. The Anak Krakatoa volcano, which means “child of Krakatoa”, erupted on Saturday, with a flow of lava and detonations audible up to 700 kilometers away, the volcanology agency said. Two new eruptions were recorded this Sunday.

Volcanic ash spread into the airspace of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, prompting authorities to suspend operations this Sunday from 1:30 a.m. The Ministry of Transport specifies that the most affected international link is that linking Singapore. Sixteen international flights were canceled, seven others were delayed and five international flights were rescheduled, the ministry said, adding that the affected routes included Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.

The disruptions are also affecting the operation of Bali airport and sixteen domestic flights to and from the island have been canceled, the local airport authority said.

The Anak Krakatoa volcano, located in the strait separating the islands of Java and Sumatra, has experienced sporadic activity since its emergence at the beginning of the last century, within the caldera formed following the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. This disaster was one of the deadliest and most destructive in history, with an estimated death toll of 35,000.