Indonesia began gradually resuming flight services on Tuesday after a major volcanic eruption forced key airports across the country to close for several days.
The severe disruption, caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano, resulted in nearly 3,000 flights being suspended and left more than 340,000 passengers stranded, reports AFP.
Jakarta’s main airport, along with four other airports, reopened early on Tuesday after authorities cleared volcanic ash from critical infrastructure. However, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi warned that it would take some time for flight schedules to return fully to normal.
According to Purwagandhi, around 178 aircraft remain grounded at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta’s main aviation hub.
“We will be operating these aircraft, but before we do so, we want to ensure their airworthiness. So, it may take a bit of extra time,” Purwagandhi said.
He urged the public and affected passengers to remain patient while safety inspections are conducted to ensure the aircraft are fit to fly.
Shortly after the airport reopened, three flights departed, including two commercial services bound for eastern Indonesia.
Airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia said in a statement that volcanic ash had been cleared from the runways and other areas, making the airport facilities safe for flight operations.
Anak Krakatau, meaning “Child of Krakatau”, is located in a strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
Lana Saria, head of the Geology Agency, said the volcano had erupted at least three times on Tuesday morning alone.
The volcano has been intermittently active since emerging from the sea nearly a century ago in the caldera created by the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau.
In 2018, a tsunami triggered by the collapse of parts of Anak Krakatau killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands.
