Anak Krakatau Ash Hits 2,961 Flights, Leaves 341,000 Passengers Stranded
Anak Krakatau ash disrupts 2,961 domestic and international flights, stranding about 341,000 passengers as seven regional airports remain closed.
Mount Anak Krakatau's volcanic ash has disrupted 2,961 flights and left around 341,000 passengers stranded as of Monday afternoon, following the prolonged closures of seven regional airports. According to Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, the disruption included cancellations, delays, and diversions. The ministry extended the closure of these airports, located in key cities across Java and Sumatra, until 11:59 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) on Monday.
Dudy stressed that the extended shutdown is a cautious measure to ensure aviation safety, as wind conditions are highly dynamic and can carry volcanic ash plumes. While initial on-site tests for ash deposits returned negative results, airports remained closed pending clearance from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) in Darwin, Australia.
Ground crews and airlines were inspecting aircraft to remove any ash particles. The Transportation Ministry and regional disaster authorities continued to monitor VAAC updates to determine when normal air traffic could safely resume. Public safety remained the government's top priority in managing the eruption's impact.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
