Volcanic eruptions can disrupt more than just activities in nearby areas. They can also affect flight operations, forcing airlines to cancel flights and airports to shut down. In Indonesia, thousands of flights were cancelled due to volcanic eruptions, while several airports were closed. Now, after two days, many airports have finally resumed flight operations. Read on to know more!
Indonesia Resumes Flight Operations After Volcano Eruption
In Indonesia, a volcano eruption occurred at Anak Krakatau mountain. The volcano had been continuously erupting, with lava shooting into the air and loud explosions. However, the activity became weaker on Sunday. Authorities recorded two eruptions at 5:08 AM and 5:34 AM. Due to this volcanic activity, air travel was also affected.
Airports in and around Indonesia faced a major two-day shutdown. As per Times of India, the disruption affected around 3.41 lakh passengers and led to nearly 2,961 flights being grounded or cancelled. Of these, 622 were international flights. However, air travel is now returning to normal in the early hours of Tuesday.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta reopened shortly after midnight. Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung and two smaller airports in Banten province also resumed operations.
Also Read: Volcano Erupts In Indonesia, Jakarta Airport Suspends Operations; Over 22,000 Passengers Affected
Not All Airports Reopened Immediately
However, some airports did not reopen immediately. According to Times of India, three airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, remained closed until 10 AM. Meanwhile, Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam resumed normal operations on Monday morning.
The UK government advises against travelling to some areas in Indonesia, but this does not apply to the entire country. Travellers should check the latest government travel advice before their trip. Authorities have also told people living nearby, tourists, and fishermen to keep a distance of at least 3 kilometres from the volcano’s active crater for safety.
We hope the situation gets under control soon!
Also Read: Why Japan Wants You To Visit Kyushu, A Region Reviving After Earthquake, Known For Volcanoes
Cover Image Courtesy: X/ @SilentlySirs & Website/ soekarno-hatta international airport
FAQs
Why air travel stopped in Indonesia?
Air travel stopped in Indonesia because volcanic eruptions created unsafe conditions for flights, leading to airport closures.