Indonesia travellers warned as Mount Anak Krakatau continues to disrupt flights
A major volcanic eruption between Java and Sumatra is impacting flights across the country, here’s what you need to know.
Australians travelling to Indonesia in the coming days are being warned their flights may be delayed or cancelled following the eruption of a volcano.
Mount Anak Krakatau Volcano eruption
Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, started producing a fountain of lava and towering columns of ash when it began erupting on Friday.
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AIRPORT CLOSURES
By Sunday morning, the ash prompted authorities to suspend operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which is Jakarta’s main international gateway.
Six other airports closed over the weekend because of volcanic ash.
Since then, more than 340,000 people have been left stranded at airports across the country after nearly 3000 flights were impacted by the eruption, CNA reported.
On Monday, Indonesia’s Geological Agency warned that “the probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high”.
INDONESIA TRAVEL CHAOS
Smartraveller — Australia’s official Government travel advice website — shared an update on Tuesday, urging travellers to continue checking the status of their flight.
“Airports in affected areas may close at short notice, and flights may be delayed or cancelled,” it read.
“Monitor your flight status and check with your airline or travel provider before travelling.”
The warning continued to advise those with asthma or respiratory issues to “take extra care” as the volcanic ash may affect air quality.
The warning comes as some Indonesian airports begin to re-open.
On Tuesday, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport posted on Instagram that flights had resumed but travellers were warned to continue monitoring their flight’s status.
“Following the current volcanic eruption activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has resumed flight operations,” the statement read.
“All airport service users are advised to reconfirm their flight status and schedule through the official communication channels of their respective airlines prior to commencing their journey.”
Travellers were advised that further information about the airport’s operation and services was available by contacting the InJourney Airport Contact Centre at 172.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this situation may have caused,” the statement continued.
“We appreciate your attention, understanding, and cooperation.”
Four other airports resumed operations, including Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in east Jakarta.
Two airports remain closed.
EMERGENCY STAY VISAS FOR STRANDED TOURISTS
Indonesia’s immigration director general Hendarsam Marantoko announced on Monday that authorities were issuing emergency stay permits and waiving overstay fees for international tourists stranded in the country because of the eruption.
“We understand the difficult situation and inconvenience experienced by passengers due to these flight disruptions,” he said in a statement published by the Bali Times.
“Therefore, the government is committed to providing legal certainty for affected foreign nationals.”
The free permit is valid for 30 days, but that can be extended if passengers are unable to travel because of airspace restrictions.
As of Monday, 26 applications had been processed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, with others being processed at immigration offices in Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, Depok, South Jakarta, Ngurah Rai, Juanda, Bekasi, and Tangerang.
SAFETY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE NEAR MOUNT ANAK KRAKATAU
Indonesia’s tourism industry has advised members of the public in the vicinity of the eruption to avoid going outside unless necessary, stay at least five kilometres from Mount Anak Krakatau, keep windows and doors closed, stay away from coastal and shoreline areas, wear a mask when outdoors, clean any volcanic ash with water instead of sweeping, and monitor official updates.
Anak Krakatau is one of about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which straddles the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a highly seismically active zone where different plates on the Earth’s crust meet and create a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Anak Krakatau, which means child of Krakatau, began emerging a century ago from the area previously occupied by Krakatau, then known as Krakatoa.
The older volcano destroyed itself in mass eruptions in 1883, which killed more than 36,000 people after triggering a series of tsunamis.
- With AP.
