Anak Krakatau eruption paralyzes flights in Indonesia, more than 2,000 canceled

Activity at the Anak Krakatau volcano has disrupted air travel in Indonesia, leaving around 270,000 passengers stranded and causing the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights.

The eruptions began on Friday evening at the volcano, which is located in the Sunda Strait, around 150 kilometers from Jakarta. Activity continued throughout the weekend, sending significant amounts of ash into the atmosphere.

After ash was detected in nearby airspace, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and three other airports decided to extend the suspension of flights until 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

The situation has led to long waits at the affected airports. Passengers have demanded refunds as well as clarification regarding the status of scheduled flights.

Indonesia’s meteorological authorities said the ash cloud had risen to 6,000 meters over Java, while over Sumatra and Banten province it had reached around 15,000 meters. According to the authorities, the risk of further eruptions remains high.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said it was still unclear when the situation would stabilize because atmospheric conditions were changing.

A three-kilometer exclusion zone has been established around the active crater, while vessels have been barred from entering this part of the Sunda Strait. Authorities also said that the latest volcanic activity had not triggered any tsunami warning.

The name Anak Krakatau, which translates as “Child of Krakatoa,” refers to the volcano’s formation in the caldera created following Krakatoa’s eruption in 1883.

In December 2018, the collapse of part of Anak Krakatau triggered a tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java. The tragedy left more than 400 people dead, while thousands were injured or forced to flee their homes.

Indonesia lies along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity.