**Volcanic Ash from Mount Anak Krakatau Disrupts Air Travel Across Southeast Asia**
**JAKARTA, Indonesia** – Air travel across Southeast Asia experienced significant disruptions on Sunday following an intense eruption at Mount Anak Krakatau, which propelled ash plumes up to 50,000 feet into the atmosphere.
The presence of volcanic particulate matter forced authorities to temporarily ground operations at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. According to reports, runway inspections conducted between midnight and 1:00 a.m. confirmed hazardous accumulations of ash, leading officials to extend the suspension of flights until mid-afternoon.
Lukman F. Laisa, the Director General of Civil Aviation, stated that the shutdown was a necessary safety measure. “Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision,” Laisa said, noting that volcanic glass poses a significant risk to jet engines and cockpit visibility.
The Ministry of Transportation reported that the disruption affected dozens of routes, including at least 16 international cancellations. Major regional carriers implemented widespread schedule adjustments:
* **Singapore Airlines:** Cancelled nearly 20 flights between Singapore and Jakarta, including services SQ950, SQ952, SQ956, SQ958, SQ968D, SQ960, SQ962, SQ964, and SQ966, as well as their corresponding return flights. The airline warned that the situation remains fluid and further modifications may be necessary as ash clouds drift across regional corridors.
* **Garuda Indonesia and AirAsia:** Both carriers announced schedule changes and urged passengers to verify their flight status via official digital channels or contact centers before traveling to the airport.
Mount Anak Krakatau, which has been active since the 1920s, began its current eruptive phase late Friday. Indonesia’s state meteorological agency, BMKG, reported lava fountains and shockwaves, with ash columns drifting over Banten province, Java, and Sumatra.
Despite the intensity of the eruption, national disaster mitigation authorities have confirmed that there is currently no immediate tsunami threat to coastal populations. Aviation officials continue to coordinate with meteorological specialists and airlines to monitor the movement of the ash cloud and determine when normal operations can safely resume.
Article and image source: singaporestar.com
