Jakarta Airport Reopens After Volcanic Ash Chaos

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Jakarta: Indonesia's main airport in Jakarta and four other airports reopened on Tuesday, following major flight disruptions and closures caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. Authorities said the ash had been removed from essential airport infrastructure, letting operations to restart gradually.

The eruption, which started late Friday, cancelled roughly 3,000 flights and affected approximately 341,000 people, leaving hundreds stranded as airlines cancelled, delayed, or rerouted services.

Approximately 178 aircraft at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were grounded during the stoppage. Authorities stated that the planes must pass safety and airworthiness checks before returning to service, thus flight schedules are expected to improve gradually rather than immediately.

On Tuesday, Anak Krakatau erupted again, putting airline officials on high alert. Officials are actively monitoring ash levels and wind direction, since more ash clouds could cause new delays or closures.

Anak Krakatau, which lies between Java and Sumatra, is one of Indonesia's active volcanoes. Volcanic ash poses a major threat to planes since it can damage jet engines and limit visibility, urging officials to proceed cautiously while reinstating air transport.