Indonesia has extended the closure of airports in several regions and halted free school meal services in some areas, as ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano continues to disrupt daily activities. The Transportation Ministry stated in a declaration that up to eight airports, including Jakarta's primary gateway, will remain shut until Monday at 9 a.m. local time. Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency separately announced that schools transitioning to remote learning will have their free meal programs suspended starting Monday.
The Anak Krakatau volcano, situated in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has been active since early July, with an escalation in eruptive activity reported on Friday evening. According to the meteorological agency's website, as of 7 a.m. Monday, volcanic ash was still detected in Jakarta, parts of Banten and West Java, as well as surrounding areas of Lampung, Bengkulu, and South Sumatra. Ash dispersal had already spread across these regions by Sunday.
The closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the nation's busiest aviation hub and primary international gateway, is likely to impact travel well beyond the capital. A prolonged shutdown could leave tens of thousands of passengers stranded and disrupt flight operations nationwide and across the broader region. State-owned operator InJourney Airports has designated seven airports across Java, Bali, and Sumatra as backup facilities to support flight operations during this period.