Flights to and from Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, have resumed following a two-day shutdown caused by volcanic ash from an eruption, affecting close to 3,000 flights. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, and two smaller airports in Banten province reopened just after midnight, according to Indonesia’s Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi.
Despite improving conditions at some airports, three others, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, remained closed until 10 a.m. local time due to the dynamic wind direction around Anak Krakatau.
Purwagandhi stated that although tests showed no ash traces at several airports, the extended closures are necessary for inspecting and cleaning runways, taxiways, and aircraft that may have been exposed to volcanic ash.
Anak Krakatau’s continuous eruption, characterized by lava fountains and loud noises, ceased on Sunday, but the volcanic island remained active on Tuesday morning. The airport closures impacted nearly 2,961 flights, including 622 international services, affecting around 341,000 passengers.
