Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau grounds flights, leaving travelers stranded

Anak Krakatau erupted over the weekend, sending lava and a thick plume of ash over Jakarta and Lampung Province. The volcano stayed active throughout the weekend, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.

On Sunday morning, Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport – Indonesia’s main gateway – suspended all flights. The shutdown affected almost 3,000 scheduled flights and more than 340,000 passengers, according to Reuters.

One of the affected travelers, Thu Trang from Hanoi, saw her return flight delayed repeatedly. After boarding on September 6, the aircraft taxied back, and the flight was pushed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. over two days, leaving her stuck at the airport and costing her VND4 million (US$160) in extra expenses.

Another traveler, Duy Manh, avoided a long stay in Jakarta by rerouting through Singapore. With his original flights grounded, he bought a ticket from Surabaya to Singapore for VND8.5 million (US$340) and then caught a connecting flight home.

Local volcanologists warned that the ash cloud, rich in sulfur and silica, poses severe risks to aircraft engines. They described the eruption as an “anomalous event” that could damage engines if the ash is ingested.

After a two‑day suspension, Indonesia reopened five airports past midnight on Tuesday. However, Anak Krakatau erupted three more times the following morning, keeping airlines cautious about further disruptions.

The incident shows how natural hazards can instantly disrupt airline operations, force costly changes for passengers, and highlight the importance of monitoring volcanic activity for aviation safety.

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