Indonesia airports reopen after volcanic ash disrupts thousands of flights

Indonesia has lifted its shutdown of major airports affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, reports indicate. The five airports – including the country's busiest Soekarno-Hatta International in Jakarta – were closed since Saturday, causing massive disruption to air travel across the archipelago. Authorities moved swiftly to clear the runways and other critical facilities after detecting ash deposits.

On Tuesday, the five airports gradually began accepting flights again after passing safety inspections. More than 340,000 passengers and about 2,900 flights were affected by the closure, which stranded travelers across Indonesia. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi acknowledged the lengthy restoration process, stating it may take "a bit" longer for full operations to resume. He emphasized the need for passengers to exercise patience while safety checks are conducted.

The eruption of Anak Krakatau, which reignited on Saturday, is located in a narrow strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. The volcano's recent activity prompted authorities to act quickly to reopen transportation routes and restore normal air services as soon as possible.