Nearly 3,000 flights were disrupted after a volcanic eruption sent ash into the skies, forcing airports to close and leaving more than 340,000 travelers dealing with major delays and cancellations.
The disruption began after Anak Krakatau erupted saturday, sending volcanic ash across parts of Indonesia. The ash eventually reached Jakarta and nearby areas, making it unsafe for aircraft to take off and land. Several airports were temporarily closed as a result.
According to the latest figures, 2,961 flights were disrupted, including 622 international services. About 341,000 passengers were affected as airlines canceled flights and worked to reorganize their schedules.
Jakarta’s two main airports later reopened after operations were suspended for around two days. However, reopening did not immediately resolve the travel chaos. Airlines still had to inspect aircraft, reposition planes and crews, and find new flights for passengers whose original journeys had been canceled.
At one airport, around 178 aircraft needed safety inspections before they could return to service. Officials warned that flight schedules could take time to return to normal even after the airports reopened.
Travelers described long waits and uncertainty as they searched for alternative ways to reach their destinations. Some chose to wait for flights to resume, while others considered traveling by road or ferry to airports that were still operating.
The volcano has also remained active. Additional eruptions were recorded after the main period of activity, raising the possibility of further disruption if ash once again enters flight paths. Authorities have kept the volcano at a high alert level and warned people to stay away from the crater.
Although airports have reopened, the massive backlog of canceled flights means thousands of passengers may continue facing delays as airlines work to restore normal operations.