By The South Asia Times

JAKARTA - Indonesia has begun restoring air services after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted operations at several airports, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers and forcing airlines to cancel, delay or divert flights.

The eruption, which began late last week, sent volcanic ash high into the atmosphere and disrupted aviation across Java and Sumatra. At one point, seven airports, including two serving Jakarta, remained closed, with nearly 3,000 flights canceled, diverted or delayed, affecting about 341,000 passengers, according to Indonesian authorities.

Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country's main international gateway, has since resumed operations after a two-day suspension. Several other airports have also reopened after authorities inspected runways and aviation infrastructure and introduced additional safety measures.

The disruption was initially reported to have affected about 270,000 travelers, as the ash cloud spread across populated areas and aviation routes.

Volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aircraft because particles can damage engines, reduce visibility and interfere with aircraft systems. Authorities have therefore taken a cautious approach to reopening airports, with airlines continuing to monitor conditions and adjust schedules.

Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Indonesia's main islands of Java and Sumatra, has remained active following the major eruption. The volcano has continued to produce intermittent explosive activity, while authorities maintain a heightened alert level.

The eruption also disrupted daily life in areas affected by ashfall. Schools in some regions moved classes online, while authorities advised residents to limit outdoor exposure and use masks to protect against volcanic ash.

Indonesia's disaster authorities have also explored weather-modification measures to help clear ash from affected areas.

Authorities have warned that further eruptions are possible and are closely monitoring Anak Krakatau.

The volcano is particularly sensitive for Indonesians because the 2018 eruption of Anak Krakatau triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. Authorities have said there is no immediate tsunami threat from the current activity, but monitoring remains intense.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 100 active volcanoes, making eruptions and related disruptions a recurring challenge for the country's population, transport networks and economy.

Despite the reopening of major airports, passengers are being advised to check directly with airlines because delays, cancellations and schedule changes may continue as aviation authorities assess ash conditions and aircraft safety.