TANGERANG, INDONESIA / RankWire.AI / – Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s primary airport along with several regional hubs on Tuesday after ash from Anak Krakatau temporarily halted air traffic. The volcanic activity impacted nearly 3,000 flights and affected more than 340,000 travelers nationwide. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport resumed normal operations once authorities confirmed that ash levels had decreased. Monitoring teams recorded three minor eruptions on Tuesday morning. The volcano remained at Level III, which is the second-highest alert level in Indonesia.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, and Husein Sastranegara airports reopened shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Budiarto Airport and Pondok Cabe Airport resumed services a little over two hours later. Atung Bungsu Airport in South Sumatra had already reopened on Monday, while Radin Inten II and Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas airports in Lampung remained under assessment. Officials also mandated safety inspections for aircraft that had been exposed to the prolonged disruption before returning to service.
The closure followed Anak Krakatau ejecting ash into the airspace over Jakarta and surrounding areas. During this period, eight airports suspended operations, including Indonesia’s busiest international hub. Airlines adjusted their domestic and international schedules as ash dispersed over key flight routes. Volcanic ash presents a serious hazard to aircraft engines and can impair visibility. Aviation authorities restricted flights from zones where monitoring indicated ash presence. These measures resulted in widespread delays, cancellations, and diversions across the country’s air network.
Airports restart services after significant disruptions
Late Friday, Anak Krakatau entered a sustained eruptive phase in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The ongoing activity began at 11:07 p.m. and concluded just after midnight on Sunday, lasting approximately 25 hours. Subsequent monitoring recorded additional Strombolian eruptions after the main eruptive episode ended. Earlier ash plumes rose nearly 50,000 feet in some locations, dispersing across parts of western Indonesia and prompting authorities to restrict access to affected airspace.
The Geological Agency maintained Anak Krakatau at Level III and enforced a three-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano. Officials advised residents affected by ash to minimize outdoor activities or wear masks. Coastal communities in Banten and Lampung were urged to rely solely on official updates and warned against circulating unverified tsunami claims. Monitoring persisted after the eruptive phase, with instruments detecting ongoing seismic activity and additional eruptions around the volcanic island.
Passenger numbers exceed 340,000 due to disruptions
As flights gradually resumed on Tuesday, airport operators managed the fallout from the shutdown. At Soekarno-Hatta, 178 aircraft that had remained grounded during the closure required inspections before returning to service. Flight crews received updated guidance regarding restricted airspace and the presence of volcanic ash. Authorities continued assessing the conditions around affected airports to ensure safe operations before resuming normal traffic flow. The event represents one of the most significant operational impacts caused by Anak Krakatau’s activity during this eruptive period.
Located in the Sunda Strait, Anak Krakatau emerged from the volcanic system formed by the historic Krakatau eruptions. The volcano has shown increased activity throughout 2026, including eruptions recorded since July. A major collapse during a December 2018 eruption triggered a deadly tsunami along nearby coastlines. Indonesia hosts over 100 active volcanoes and is situated along the tectonic boundaries of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent eruptions and earthquakes are common.