Volcanic eruption in Indonesia: Hundreds of flights canceled at Jakarta Airport
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau leads to massive flight cancellations and diversions at the airport in the Indonesian capital.
Quick Look
- Over 760 flights were canceled, diverted or delayed at Jakarta Airport due to the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano.
- Volcanic ash endangers flight operations because it can damage engines.
- Indonesia is the country with the most active volcanoes in the world.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and, with around 130 active volcanoes, has the highest number in the world.
Hundreds of flights have been canceled at the airport in the Indonesian capital Jakarta due to a volcanic eruption. The reason for this is the presence of volcanic ash at the airport, as the aviation authority announced this morning. Volcanic ash is dangerous for aircraft - among other things because it can damage engines.
According to the Indonesian operator InJourney Airports, the airport had to be temporarily closed and more than 760 flights were affected. They were either completely canceled, rerouted or delayed. The canceled flights also included numerous international connections, including to Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul and Amsterdam.
More volcanoes than any other country in the world
The ash came from the Anak Krakatau volcano, which forms a small volcanic island about 150 kilometers west of the airport in the Strait of Sunda. According to authorities, the latest eruption of the volcano in the strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java began on Friday.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of particularly intense volcanic and seismic activity. There are around 130 active volcanoes in the Southeast Asian island nation - more than in any other country in the world.
Open Questions
- How long are flight operations expected to remain suspended?
- Are there evacuation measures for the population near the volcano?
