Jakarta airport extends closure after volcano eruption

Jakarta's main airport, along with three others, extended their closures on Monday following the halt in operations due to a volcanic eruption, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded. Mount Anak Krakatau, situated 150 kilometers from Indonesia's capital, erupted on Saturday, emitting lava and a column of volcanic ash. Subsequently, eight airports halted their activities over the weekend after detecting ash in their airspace, disrupting thousands of flights and leaving over 270,000 passengers stranded, according to the transport ministry.

These figures represent the cumulative operational impact since September 5, 2026, encompassing canceled, delayed, or diverted flights. Italian tourist Michel Migge and his girlfriend were on holiday, set to return home on Tuesday. However, their flight was canceled, leaving them uncertain whether to remain in Jakarta or seek alternative travel arrangements.

The couple expressed their frustration to AFP, stating that they found a nearby hotel but were uncertain about their next steps.