Jakarta and Java‑area airports reopen after ash shutdown that stranded more than 340,000 travellers

Jakarta and four other airports on the Indonesian island of Java resumed normal operations on Tuesday morning after being shut down for several days due to volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The transport ministry confirmed the airports were now safe for flights, ending a crisis that stranded over 340,000 travelers and disrupted nearly 3,000 flights.

Mount Anak Krakatau, located about 150 kilometers from Jakarta, erupted on Saturday, causing a plume of volcanic ash to disrupt airspace and halt airport operations. The ministry had previously extended airport closures multiple times, but finally declared the airports safe for use. The other three reopened airports are the Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta, the small civil and military airport in Bandung, and a smaller airport in south Sumatra.

However, two of the original eight airports remain closed. Airlines are now working to rebook the stranded passengers and clear the backlog of cancelled or delayed flights.