Indonesia\u2019s Anak Krakatau volcano has erupted, sending volcanic ash as high as 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) and causing major disruptions to air traffic, including the temporary closure of Jakarta\u2019s main international airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jakarta\u2019s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) was temporarily closed on Sunday after volcanic ash was detected in the airport area. According to Indonesia\u2019s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, 209 flight movements were affected, impacting 22,798 passengers<\/strong> during the closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The disruption included 16 canceled international flights, seven delayed flights and five rescheduled flights involving destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul\/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam. Four domestic flights were also canceled and another was diverted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Airlines including Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines canceled Jakarta services, while Qantas reported disruptions to several flights. Other affected international routes included Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha and Sydney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main aviation concern is the altitude and extent of the volcanic ash plume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported continuous volcanic ash reaching FL500, or approximately 50,000 feet<\/strong>, with the high-level plume moving west at around 30 knots. Lower-level ash was reported up to FL200, or 20,000 feet, moving toward the south and southeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The advisories were based on Himawari-9 satellite imagery and dispersion modeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volcanic ash poses a serious hazard to aircraft because it can be drawn into jet engines, where it may melt and adhere to hot turbine components, potentially causing engine damage or loss of thrust. Ash can also damage windscreens, sensors and other aircraft systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indonesian authorities therefore suspended operations at several airports as the ash spread through western Indonesia. Kertajati, Ahmad Yani and Juanda airports were identified as possible alternatives for diversions where operationally feasible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The eruption followed increased activity at Anak Krakatau, which has been at alert level 3 since July 2<\/strong>. The volcano is located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra and has a particularly notorious history. Its 2018 eruption triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No tsunami threat has been reported from the current eruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With further eruptions recorded on Sunday and volcanic ash continuing to be monitored, airlines and Indonesian aviation authorities are closely tracking the movement of the ash cloud before restoring normal operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAsh reaches airline cruising altitudes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n