Operations at Indonesia’s busiest international gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, were forced to a standstill this Sunday after volcanic ash from the erupting Anak Krakatoa was detected in the surrounding airspace. The volcano, situated between Java and Sumatra, began its latest cycle of activity on Saturday, sending lava fountains into the air with tremors reportedly felt as far as 700 kilometers away. Following positive results from safety testing for ash contamination, the transport ministry took the precautionary measure of extending the flight suspension until mid-morning to ensure passenger safety.

The disruption has rippled through international travel, affecting over 22,000 passengers and forcing the cancellation or delay of at least 209 flights. Key routes connecting Jakarta to major hubs like Singapore, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, and Doha have faced significant interruptions. Anak Krakatoa remains a volatile reminder of Indonesia's position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for its frequent seismic and volcanic events. While the volcano has been active periodically since surfacing over a century ago, officials continue to monitor the situation closely to determine when it will be safe to resume normal air traffic.