Jakarta (Indonesia), Sept. 8 (LaPresse) – Flights to and from Jakarta have resumed after several Indonesian airports were closed for two days due to ash released by the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The capital’s two main airports, Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma, reopened in the early hours of Tuesday, along with three other airports. Three other airports remained closed until 10 a.m. local time, pending an improvement in conditions. “We are adopting a cautious approach because the wind direction is highly variable,” Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi explained, stressing the need to verify that volcanic ash had moved away from the airports. The closures on Sunday and Monday disrupted nearly 2,961 flights, including 622 international flights, affecting around 341,000 passengers. The authorities also ordered inspections and cleaning operations on runways, taxiways and equipment potentially exposed to ash. The ongoing eruption of Anak Krakatau, characterized by lava fountains and loud booms, ended on Sunday, but the volcano was still active this morning.
Indonesia, Jakarta airports reopen: nearly 3,000 flights canceled
Jakarta (Indonesia), Sept. 8 (LaPresse) – Flights to and from Jakarta have resumed after several Indonesian airports were closed for two days due to ash released by the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The capital’s two main airports, Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma, reopened in the early hours of Tuesday, along with three other airports. Three other airports remained closed until 10 a.m. local time, pending an improvement in conditions. “We are adopting a cautious approach because the wind direction is highly variable,” Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi explained, stressing the need to verify that volcanic ash had moved away from the airports. The closures on Sunday and Monday disrupted nearly 2,961 flights, including 622 international flights, affecting around 341,000 passengers. The authorities also ordered inspections and cleaning operations on runways, taxiways and equipment potentially exposed to ash. The ongoing eruption of Anak Krakatau, characterized by lava fountains and loud booms, ended on Sunday, but the volcano was still active this morning.