Anak Krakatau ash forces airport shutdowns, health alerts and school closures across Indonesia

The latest eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau spread ash over large parts of Indonesia, leading to the shutdown of eight airports—most notably Soekarno-Hatta International—resulting in the cancellation or delay of 1,558 flights and impacting about 170,000 passengers, according to the Transportation Ministry. Over 900 of those flights involved the main gateway airport, which was closed from early Sunday morning as a precaution against ash-related safety risks.

Health officials highlighted that fine ash particles can irritate eyes, noses and lungs, urging residents to wear N95 or KN95 masks, use protective eyewear and keep windows closed. In response to poor air quality, the Education Ministry permitted schools in severely affected areas such as Serang, Tanggamus and Bandar Lampung to shift to remote learning, with Jakarta extending the policy to all schools. Ferry routes between Merak and Bakauheni stayed operational, while the railway operator increased services to accommodate displaced travelers. The volcano remains under Alert Level III monitoring, and authorities continue to advise the public to avoid the restricted zone and limit outdoor exposure.