Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau erupted on Sunday, forcing flight suspensions at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and disrupting hundreds of services across western Indonesia. Ash from the volcano rose to as high as 50,000 feet on the Sumatra side, prompting repeated operational pauses at the country’s main international gateway and leaving passengers stranded as airlines cut or delayed flights.
Transport authorities and airport operator Angkasa Pura extended the suspension through the day as ash remained in the airspace around Jakarta. The disruption spread beyond the capital, with six airports reported to have suspended operations. Flight totals varied across live updates, but the scale reached at least several hundred affected services, including international routes.
Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines were among carriers that cancelled Jakarta flights. Aviation authorities treated the ash cloud as an immediate safety hazard because volcanic debris can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility, forcing rapid changes to schedules across domestic and international networks.