Volcano ash forces flight suspensions at Jakarta's main airport

More than 20,000 airline passengers were left stranded on Thursday after Indonesian authorities detected volcanic ash in the airspace surrounding Jakarta, prompting the temporary suspension of flights at the capital’s main airports. The ash plume originated from the recent eruptions of Mount Semeru in East Java, which sent ash clouds to an altitude of roughly 7,000 meters, crossing the flight paths of both Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered an immediate halt to all take‑offs and landings as a precautionary safety measure, leading airlines to cancel or delay dozens of domestic and international services.

Airlines and airport operators worked to accommodate affected travelers, arranging alternative transport and rebooking options while monitoring the ash dispersion with meteorological agencies. Officials indicated that the suspension would remain in effect until ash concentrations fell below the safety threshold, a process expected to take several hours. The disruption underscores the vulnerability of Indonesia’s heavily trafficked air network to volcanic activity, and authorities continue to assess the situation to determine when normal operations can safely resume.