Anak Krakatau eruption delays 624 flights at Soekarno-Hatta Airport

Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s state-owned airport operator InJourney Airports reported that volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has forced the delay of 624 flights at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten.

The airport’s Assistant Deputy for Communication and Legal Affairs, Yudistiawan, said here on Monday (Sept. 7) that the disruptions affected an estimated 75,236 passengers across 461 domestic flights, 156 international flights, and seven cargo services.AirNav Indonesia, the state flight navigation service provider, issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) extending the temporary closure of the airport’s airspace until 11:59 p.m. local time (GMT+7) on Monday. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the main air hub in Greater Jakarta.

"Airlines have been notifying their prospective passengers. (Indonesia’s flag carrier) Garuda Indonesia, for instance, has announced it is suspending operations today, and we believe other carriers are doing the same," Yudistiawan said.

He noted that all departure schedules remain indefinite, emphasizing that aviation safety and security will determine when operations can safely resume.

To mitigate congestion at Terminals 1, 2, and 3, airport management has deployed a fleet of free buses for passengers opting to travel overland. The buses are transporting travelers to various major cities across Java, including Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, and Surabaya.

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Departures were scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time from designated pickup points across all three terminals.

"We strongly urge all prospective passengers to monitor official updates through their respective airlines and the airport’s communication channels. We advise travelers against coming to the airport and suggest they remain at home until we officially announce that Soekarno-Hatta has resumed normal operations," Yudistiawan said.