INDONESIA REOPENS MAJOR AIRPORTS AFTER VOLCANIC ERUPTION DISRUPTS 3,000 FLIGHTS
Read Time:2 Minute, 23 Second
Agency Report
Major airports in Indonesia reopened on Tuesday after a volcanic eruption disrupted air travel across the country, grounding nearly 3,000 flights and stranding more than 340,000 passengers.
Five airports, including Jakarta’s main international hub, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, resumed operations after authorities cleared volcanic ash from runways and other critical infrastructure.
However, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said flight schedules would return to normal gradually as airlines conduct safety checks on aircraft affected by the disruption.
“We will be operating these aircraft, but before we do so, we want to ensure their airworthiness. So, it may take a bit of extra time,” Purwagandhi told reporters.
He said nearly 180 aircraft were currently at Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and urged passengers to be patient while inspections were conducted.
“We ask for a little patience from passengers and the public, as we will be carrying out inspections to ensure that these aircraft are fit to fly,” he said.
Airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia said volcanic ash had been cleared from runways and other affected areas to ensure the facilities were safe for flight operations.
The transport minister said three aircraft had departed shortly after the airport reopened early Tuesday, including two commercial flights bound for eastern Indonesia.
The disruption left thousands of travellers uncertain about their travel plans.
An Indonesian businessman identified as Heri told AFP that his flight to Egypt scheduled for Monday was cancelled following the airport closure.
“I’m relieved” that the airport reopened, he said, adding that he had rushed to the airport to determine whether he would be able to travel.
“I was worried for a while. To go abroad, we must prepare everything well in advance… That’s what had us concerned, because we couldn’t do things in a hurry and everything was still unclear,” he said.
A Japanese tourist, Nozomi, who was travelling in Indonesia with her family, said the airport closure had left her confused because of a lack of clear information from authorities.
“I hope things stay like this, no delays, no closing airports. I hope everyone can go where they want to go,” the 37-year-old homemaker said.
The disruption was triggered by activity from Anak Krakatau, a volcano located in the Sunda Strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.
The volcano, which experienced a major eruption on Saturday, erupted at least three times on Tuesday morning, according to Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s national Geology Agency.
Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau,” has remained sporadically active since emerging from the sea nearly a century ago in the caldera created by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau.
The volcano is also associated with a deadly 2018 tsunami, triggered by the collapse of part of Anak Krakatau. More than 400 people were killed and thousands displaced in the disaster.
AFP
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0