Jakarta airport extends closure after volcano eruption

Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, is grappling with the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that has forced the closure of the country’s main airport. Mount Anak Krakatau, located about 150 kilometers from Jakarta, erupted on Saturday, spewing lava and a plume of volcanic ash. This activity prompted eight airports to halt operations over the weekend, disrupting thousands of flights and leaving over 270,000 passengers stranded, according to the transport ministry.

Italian tourist Michel Miegge, along with his girlfriend, was supposed to fly home on Tuesday but was left stranded as their flight was cancelled. "We don’t have any news from the airline. We don’t know if we stay another day in Jakarta or find another flight," the 32-year-old software engineer told AFP.

Another tourist, French painter Carol Odile, was also affected, having come to see Komodo dragons in Flores. "We are disappointed, but our group is optimistic. We hope we can go to Flores Island very soon," the 60-year-old said.

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country’s primary international gateway, has remained closed since Monday morning, with operations now set to resume at midnight. The airport has suspended flight operations due to the increased eruption activity at Mount Anak Krakatau. Halim Perdanakusuma, a smaller airport that handles both civil and military flights, is also closed.

Despite the disruptions, the Transport Ministry has prepared six alternative airports, including those in East Java, Central Java, and Yogyakarta, as options for aircraft originally scheduled to land in Jakarta. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has encouraged airlines to utilize these airports to avoid passenger congestion. Free bus services are being provided for passengers who wish to fly from other airports.

The Indonesian government has also relaxed rules for foreign passengers who may have overstayed due to flight cancellations. However, the threat of further eruptions remains high. The country's geology agency warned that the volcano poses a significant risk from ejection of incandescent rocks and heavy ashfall, as well as potential lava flows if the eruption continues.