Flights to Jakarta resume after volcanic ash forced 2-day closure of several Indonesian airports

Mount Anak Krakatoa, an active volcano located between the islands of Java and Sumatra, erupted on September 6 (article 4 mentions a date but it is unclear if this is correct), producing lava fountains, booming sounds, and tremors that could be felt in surrounding regions. The eruption caused volcanic ash to spread across parts of western Indonesia, including the capital city of Jakarta and Lampung province on Sumatra's southern tip.

As a result, several airports were closed due to volcanic ash, affecting thousands of passengers. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located outside Jakarta, was one of the affected airports, with over 22,000 passengers impacted by the closure. In total, 209 flights and 1,558 canceled flights were disrupted.

The airport closures were extended multiple times due to increased eruptive activity. By Sunday evening, six airports had been closed, including Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, with operations suspended until at least 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The suspension affected not only domestic but also international flights, including routes to and from Singapore, Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.

No casualties were reported, but authorities warned people to stay away from the active crater, which is located over 10 miles away from the nearest settlement. The eruption was closely monitored by Indonesia's Geological Agency and transportation officials, who emphasized safety as their top priority in operational decisions.