Malaysian newlyweds’ Bali high turns into five-day airport nightmare, no thanks to Anak Krakatau ash cloud

A Malaysian newlywed couple from Kedah found themselves stranded in Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for five extra days after their honeymoon turned into a five-day nightmare due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau. Amir Hamzah, 29, a factory worker, and his wife, Fatin Zulaikha Azizal, 29, a private company employee, had planned to return to Malaysia on Sunday, but their connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur was repeatedly delayed and eventually cancelled.

The disruption resulted in the airport temporarily closing and affecting about 150,000 passengers and 467 flights. The couple spent nearly 24 hours at the airport before being informed that their earliest available flight back to Malaysia was on Friday, five days after their scheduled return. They had not prepared for such an extended stay, as they had only budgeted for their honeymoon and return.

The couple, who were unaware of any compensation, contacted Bernama's Jakarta correspondent for assistance and were temporarily accommodated while waiting for support from their family in Malaysia.