Flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and five other Indonesian airports were suspended Sunday after the Anak Krakatau volcano erupted, impacting over 22,000 passengers. The volcano began showing activity Friday, with lava flares observed Saturday and two additional eruptions recorded Sunday. Authorities initially suspended operations at 1:30 am local time after volcanic ash was detected in the airspace, extending the closure multiple times to 5:30 pm. A total of 516 flight movements were affected, including 202 at Soekarno-Hatta, impacting routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali. While no casualties have been reported and no evacuation orders issued, residents near the volcano have experienced eye irritation from the ash, prompting some schools to cancel activities. Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, stated activity at Anak Krakatau has intensified since July, indicating a continued supply of magma. The volcano, which emerged in the early 20th century and partially collapsed in 2018 triggering a deadly tsunami, remains active, with ash plumes reaching as high as 50,000 feet. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with airlines, prioritizing safety and acknowledging potential cascading disruptions to flight schedules. The transport ministry has extended the airport closure until 13:30 local time, and health officials are urging residents in affected areas to wear face masks.
Left and lean-left sources emphasize the disruption to air travel and the impact on passengers, while right-leaning coverage focuses on the operational response and coordination between agencies. Not in dispute is the volcanic activity and the resulting flight cancellations.
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