Indonesia’s volcano eruption leaves 270,000 stranded as airports close

A powerful eruption at Anak Krakatau sent lava fountains and ash clouds across Jakarta, grounding more than 2,000 flights and forcing four major airports to shut for a full day.

Air traffic was halted through 18:00 Monday local time. Travelers sat in long queues, sought refunds, and attempted to track delayed departures on screens that kept flickering light‑ups. The disruptions spread beyond air travel, with schools switching to online classes and shipping lanes in the Sunda Strait experiencing travel bans to keep crews safe.

Authorities advised tourists to stay at least 3 km from the crater and capped maritime passage through the exclusion zone. Officials confirmed no tsunami warning, but the ash plume reached up to 6,000 m in Java and 15,000 m on the Sumatra side. The newly‑formed volcano sits in the most seismically active part of the Pacific Ring of Fire—home to more than 450 active volcanoes.

Travelers, including a Malaysian honeymoon couple and a conservation team heading to Ujung Kulon National Park, expressed frustration over prolonged delays and the uncertainty of when flights would resume.

The Indonesian Geological Agency warned the possibility of further eruptions remains high, and tests continue in 30‑minute intervals to monitor ash drift.