Indonesia's main airport reopens after volcanic ash closure

Indonesia's primary airport and four others near the capital city of Jakarta have resumed operations after a week-long closure caused by volcanic ash from a nearby eruption, according to the Transport Ministry. The ministry confirmed on Instagram that the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, located in Jakarta, and the four others, including Halim Perdanakusuma, Hussein Sastranegara, and one in south Sumatra, are now functioning again.

The airports closed following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa, located approximately 150km from Jakarta, on Saturday. The eruption released lava and a plume of volcanic ash, disrupting air travel and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The Transport Ministry had previously announced six alternative airports to accommodate flights originally destined for Jakarta.

However, two of the eight airports remain closed. The ash from the eruption disrupted nearly 3,000 flights, affecting more than 340,000 passengers, causing significant disruption to air travel in the region.