Indonesia Flight Cancellations: Volcanic Ash Extends Airport Closures for 1,000+ Flights

Indonesia has extended the closure of four airports, including Jakarta’s main international gateway, after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel and stranded more than 170,000 passengers.

Authorities said the affected airports would remain closed until 6 p.m. local time on Monday as aviation officials continued to monitor the movement of volcanic ash in the region.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta was crowded on Monday as hundreds of passengers waited for refunds, flight rescheduling and further information following the disruption.

Mount Anak Krakatau, located about 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Jakarta, erupted on Saturday, sending a plume of volcanic ash into the atmosphere.

The eruption forced airlines to suspend or delay flights, with many affected passengers reportedly being rescheduled for Tuesday.

Eight airports had initially suspended operations on Sunday after volcanic ash was detected in their airspace. The disruption affected more than 1,000 flights and left over 170,000 passengers stranded.

Authorities described the airport closures as a precautionary measure aimed at protecting passengers and aircraft amid concerns over aviation safety.

Volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aircraft because it can reduce visibility and potentially damage engines and other critical components.