SIA Adds 8 Relief Flights as Indonesia Reopens Airports After Krakatau Eruption

Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption late Friday forced eight Indonesian airports to shut for two days, disrupting nearly 3,000 flights and leaving 340,000 passengers stranded. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and five others reopened early Tuesday as wind cleared volcanic ash. Singapore Airlines responded by mounting eight relief flights between Singapore and Jakarta on September 8 to transfer affected customers.

How the eruption disrupted aviation

Anak Krakatau, located 150 kilometers from Jakarta, began erupting late Friday, sending lava fountains and volcanic ash across Jakarta and surrounding areas. Eight airports halted operations over the weekend after ash was detected in their airspace. The closures stranded more than 340,000 passengers and disrupted nearly 3,000 flights, forcing travelers to sleep in airports or seek alternative transport.

SIA’s response and flight changes

Singapore Airlines added eight relief flights between Singapore and Jakarta on September 8 for customers affected by the disruption. SIA cancelled one flight departing Jakarta early Tuesday and retimed six flights, pushing departure times from morning to afternoon. The airline urged customers to check its Flight Status page and update contact details via the Manage Booking function.

Airports reopen but challenges remain

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport resumed operations early Tuesday after wind blew ash away, according to Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi. Authorities inspected 178 grounded aircraft before allowing flights to resume. Six other airports including Halim Perdanakusuma and Bandung also reopened, but the volcano remained active with four eruptions recorded between dawn and midday Tuesday.

Financial impact on airlines

Airlines face steep costs from the disruption. Bayu Sutanto, Secretary General of the Indonesia National Air Carriers Association, said airlines could lose up to 19 billion rupiah (US$1 million) per day. Increased expenses include extra fuel from route diversions, aircraft parking fees, and crew-related costs. The backlog of stranded passengers will take days to clear as airlines rebook customers onto available flights.

Final Thoughts

The volcanic disruption cost Indonesian carriers up to US$1 million daily and left 340,000 passengers scrambling for alternatives. With airports now reopening and SIA adding relief capacity, the airline sector faces a week of rebooking chaos and elevated operating costs.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.