Jakarta airport extends closure after volcano eruption

Jakarta's primary airport, along with three others, faced a setback in reopening on Monday following a volcanic eruption. The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, roughly 150 kilometers from Indonesia's capital, triggered a cascade of disruptions, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded. The eruption erupted on Saturday, emitting a stream of lava and a cloud of volcanic ash.

Consequently, eight airports suspended operations over the weekend due to ash detection in their airspace, disrupting countless flights and leaving over 270,000 passengers stranded, according to the transport ministry's report on Monday. These figures represent the cumulative operational impact since September 5, 2026, encompassing canceled, delayed, or diverted flights.

Italian tourist Michel Miegge, traveling with his girlfriend, was scheduled to return home on Tuesday; however, their flight was canceled. The 32-year-old software engineer expressed uncertainty about their next steps, stating, "We don't have any news from the airline. We don't know if we stay another day in Jakarta or find another flight." They found a nearby hotel but were concerned that the situation might not improve.