Jakarta airport reopens after volcanic ash shutdown

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport reopened at midnight on 8 September after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced its closure. The volcano erupted on 4 September. Ash was detected at the airport on 6 September, prompting the shutdown. Five other airports have reopened as well, including Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta and Husein Sastranegara in Bandung. Two of the eight airports originally closed over ash concerns remain shut.

Indonesian authorities said more than 3,000 flights and over 270,000 passengers were affected since the closures began on 6 September. Flights were rerouted away from airspace around Jakarta, Bandung and Lampung. On 7 September, the transport ministry designated six alternative airports for diversions.

Soekarno-Hatta is the main hub for Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air Group, Indonesia AirAsia and TransNusa Airlines. Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines also have a significant presence there.