After Anak Krakatau erupted late Friday, the volcano’s ash plume swept across Jakarta and the southern province of Lampung, prompting the Ministry of Transportation to ground over 2,000 flights and close several key airports for a second day.
Soekarno‑Hatta International, Jakarta’s main hub, and three other airports were closed until 18:00 local time on Monday as ash was detected within their flight corridors. The closures left an estimated 270,000 passengers stranded, many of whom had to find alternative transport or overnight stay in airport hotels.
Passengers formed long queues at departure halls, attempting to get refunds or updates on when flights would resume. A traveler from Malang, East Java, explained that flights were repeatedly rescheduled until she finally travelled on two intercity trains to reach Jakarta by dawn Monday.
A new wedding couple visiting Bali found themselves with no return flight until 11 September, forcing them to consider staying for five extra days beyond their planned honeymoon, they said to Bernama news agency.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency confirmed that further eruptions were likely in the coming days. Volcanic ash reached 6,000m on Java’s side and 15,000m on Sumatra’s side, with meteorological reports indicating ash clouds north of Banten province.
Safety Precautions and Environmental Impact
Authorities have prohibited activities within a 3km radius of the crater and warned maritime traffic to steer clear of the exclusion zone around the Sunda Strait. No tsunami warning was issued.
Anak Krakatau, which emerged from the sea in the early 20th century, is the remnant of the infamous 1883 Mount Krakatoa eruption. Its 2018 collapse triggered a massive tsunami that killed over 400 people, underscoring the risks of future activity.
The planet’s Pacific Ring of Fire—spanning about 40,000km—hosts 75% of the world’s volcanoes. Indonesia’s position within this zone places it at the epicenter of seismic and volcanic events.
