TANGERANG, INDONESIA / RankWire.AI / – Indonesia resumed operations at Jakarta’s main airport along with several regional airports on Tuesday following volcanic ash emissions from Anak Krakatau that disrupted air travel. Over 340,000 travelers experienced delays, cancellations, or diversions amid the chaos. The impact was felt across nearly 3,000 flights throughout Indonesia. After winds cleared ash from critical aviation zones, authorities reopened Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Anak Krakatau remained active on Tuesday, with monitoring stations recording three smaller eruptions during the morning hours.
The Ministry of Transportation announced that Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, and Husein Sastranegara airports restarted operations at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Meanwhile, Budiarto Airport in Curug and Pondok Cabe Airport resumed at 2:25 a.m. Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra reopened on Monday morning. Two other airports in Lampung, Radin Inten II and Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas, are still awaiting further evaluation according to the latest official transport update. Airport authorities also mandated aircraft safety inspections before fully resuming regular services.
The closures were triggered when Anak Krakatau released volcanic ash across airspace covering Jakarta and nearby regions. During the disruption, eight airports halted operations, including Indonesia’s busiest international gateway, Soekarno-Hatta. Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft engines and visibility, making it a serious aviation hazard. Authorities also restricted aircraft from entering airspace where ash was detected. The disruption caused cascading adjustments in domestic and international flight schedules, with airlines modifying departures, arrivals, and aircraft movements across impacted airports.
Major airports reopen as ash clears
Anak Krakatau’s recent activity surge began late Friday in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. A persistent eruptive phase started at 11:07 p.m. Friday and concluded shortly after midnight on Sunday, lasting approximately 25 hours. Monitoring recorded additional Strombolian eruptions following the end of the continuous phase. Earlier ash clouds reached altitudes nearing 50,000 feet in some regions, dispersing volcanic material across parts of western Indonesia and disrupting major flight corridors.
The Geological Agency maintained Anak Krakatau at Level III, Indonesia’s second-highest volcanic alert level. A three-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano’s active core remained in effect. Authorities advised residents affected by volcanic ash to limit outdoor activities or wear masks. Coastal communities in Banten and Lampung were instructed to follow official guidance and dismiss unverified tsunami claims. The volcano’s monitoring network continued recording seismic and eruptive activity after the prolonged eruption ended over the weekend.
Air travel disruptions impact hundreds of thousands
Tuesday’s three minor eruptions occurred as airports managed the aftermath of the multi-day shutdown. Officials mandated inspections for aircraft that remained grounded during the closure. At Soekarno-Hatta, 178 aircraft needed airworthiness checks before returning to full service. Pilots and crews received instructions regarding restricted airspace affected by volcanic ash. These measures accompanied the reopening of airports once conditions were deemed safe for flight operations.
Located in the Sunda Strait, Anak Krakatau is an active volcanic island that emerged from the Krakatau volcanic complex. Its activity has intensified during 2026, with eruptions recorded since July. The volcano experienced a significant collapse during an eruption in December 2018 that triggered a deadly tsunami along nearby coastlines. Indonesia hosts over 100 active volcanoes, situated along major tectonic boundaries within the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and eruptions are frequent.