Indonesia has begun reopening several major airports after a volcanic eruption disrupted air travel across the country, offering a welcome sense of relief to thousands of travellers who have spent days waiting for flights to resume.
The eruption of Anak Krakatau caused widespread disruption, grounding nearly 3,000 flights and leaving more than 340,000 passengers stranded. Five airports, including Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the main gateway serving Jakarta, have now reopened after volcanic ash was cleared from runways and other critical airport infrastructure.
However, authorities have warned passengers that getting back to a normal flight schedule will take time.
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said that nearly 180 aircraft were still at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and would need to undergo safety inspections before returning to service.
“We will be operating these aircraft, but before we do so, we want to ensure their airworthiness,” the minister said, asking passengers and the public to remain patient while the necessary checks are completed.
Airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia confirmed that volcanic ash had been removed from runways and other important areas to ensure the airport could safely handle flights again.
Some flights have already taken off. Three aircraft departed shortly after the airport reopened, including two commercial flights heading towards eastern Indonesia.
For passengers who had been watching their travel plans change by the hour, the reopening has brought cautious optimism.
Indonesian businessman Heri, who had been scheduled to fly to Egypt, said his flight was cancelled the previous day. He rushed back to the airport after hearing that operations had resumed, hoping he could finally continue his journey.
“I’m relieved,” he told AFP, although he was still unsure exactly when he would be able to board his flight.
His experience reflects the uncertainty faced by many travellers during the disruption. International travel often involves careful planning, bookings and preparations well in advance, making sudden cancellations especially stressful.
Japanese tourist Nozomi, who was travelling in Indonesia with her family, said the airport closure had left her confused because information about the situation was not always clear.
Her hope was simple: that flights would continue operating without further interruptions and that travellers could finally get to their destinations.
The disruption comes as Anak Krakatau remains active. The volcano, whose name means “Child of Krakatau,” sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra and has erupted several times in recent days.
According to Indonesia’s national Geology Agency, the volcano erupted at least three times on the morning of the airport reopening.
Anak Krakatau has been intermittently active since it emerged from the sea nearly a century ago within the caldera created by the devastating 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau.
The volcano’s history remains a powerful reminder of the risks faced by communities and travellers in Indonesia. In 2018, a tsunami caused by the collapse of part of Anak Krakatau killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands.
For now, the reopening of Indonesia’s airports is an important first step, but travellers are being urged to remain patient as airlines and airport authorities work through inspections, changing schedules and the remaining effects of the volcanic ash.
For those waiting to travel, the message is clear: the skies are beginning to open again, but the journey back to normal will take a little longer.
Source: AFP
