Updated September 8: Five Indonesian airports have reopened after the Anak Krakatau eruption. Authorities now say the disruption affected 2,961 flights and around 341,000 passengers.
Jakarta’s two main airports resumed flights early Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau cleared from the area.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport both reopened. Three other affected airports have also resumed operations.
The change came after the wind shifted and moved the volcanic ash away from their airspace.
However, airlines still face major delays. The disruption has now affected 2,961 domestic and international flights. Around 341,000 passengers have also faced cancellations, delays or changes to their journeys.
Safety checks continue
Officials ordered safety checks on 178 aircraft at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Inspectors will look for volcanic ash in engines and other aircraft systems.
Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility. Airport staff must therefore inspect runways, buildings and aircraft before normal operations can resume.
Two airports remained closed at the latest update, according to Reuters.
Anak Krakatau also recorded three new eruptions early Tuesday. Indonesian authorities have kept the volcano at alert level three on a four-level scale.
They have advised the public to stay at least three kilometres from the crater.
Victoria changes travel plans
The flight disruption has also affected Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.
The Swedish Royal Court cancelled her remaining programme in Jakarta. She had planned to meet President Prabowo Subianto and open a Swedish-Indonesian business forum on September 8.
Victoria and her group will instead return home via Bali. The court wants to avoid further delays before King Harald’s funeral in Oslo on Wednesday.
Business Sweden has not announced any cancellation of its delegation or the business forum itself.
Source: Reuters
[…] decision follows several days of travel disruption in Indonesia. Eight airports initially stopped flights because of volcanic ash. The disruption affected 2,961 flights and around 341,000 […]