Flights to and from Jakarta, Indonesia, resumed early Tuesday after a two-day closure caused by ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano eruption. The disruption halted nearly 3,000 flights and affected approximately 341,000 passengers.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, which serve Jakarta, along with Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and two smaller airports in Banten province, reopened just after midnight. Three other airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung and Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra, remained closed until 10 a.m. despite improving conditions.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that a conservative approach was being taken due to the dynamic nature of wind direction, aiming to ensure volcanic ash had moved away from the vicinity of Anak Krakatau. Extended closures allowed for inspections and cleaning of airport surfaces and equipment, such as runways and aircraft.
The Anak Krakatau volcano, which means "child of Krakatau," continued to show activity Tuesday morning, with eruptions reported, though the height of the ash column was not observable. The continuous eruption with lava fountains and loud booms had ended Sunday.
In response to the ashfall, the government authorized schools in affected areas to shift to temporary online learning to minimize student exposure.
Anak Krakatau is situated in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Its 2018 eruption triggered a tsunami that resulted in over 430 fatalities. Researchers attribute this event to a volcanic-induced underwater landslide that caused a significant portion of the volcano's slope to collapse and displace water.
The volcano has been at Indonesia's second-highest alert level since July, with advisories in place for residents, tourists, and fishermen to maintain a distance of at least 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the active crater.
Indonesia, located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is home to more than 120 active volcanoes and experiences frequent eruptions due to its position within a region of significant seismic activity.