Indonesia: Ash plume soars 50,000 feet as Krakatau volcano explodes; flights hit
The eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia has caused significant flight disruptions at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport due to massive ash plumes. Authorities have suspended operations and warned residents to maintain a safe distance from the volcano.
Why it matters
Volcanic activity in the Sunda Strait poses a recurring threat to regional aviation and local safety, requiring constant monitoring by geological agencies.
Indonesia suspended hundreds of flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday after Mount Anak Krakatau erupted, sending volcanic ash across parts of western Indonesia.The disruption affected 209 flights, including several international services, according to Indonesia’s transportation ministry.Indonesia’s Geological Agency said the volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, had shown increased activity on Saturday before erupting for about 30 seconds at 3:53am on Sunday.“Due to increased activity from the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has temporarily suspended flight operations from 5:30 am to 9.30 am,” the airport said in an early Sunday travel advisory.The suspension was later extended from an earlier scheduled reopening at 5:30am because of volcanic ash, the transportation ministry said.
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