Flights between South Korea and Indonesia have been largely suspended after ash from the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano spread over Jakarta.
Flights From Korea to Jakarta Come to a Standstill
According to the airline industry and local authorities on the 7th, ash from Anak Krakatau, which began erupting on the 4th, spread across the Jakarta metropolitan area and brought takeoffs and landings at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to a complete halt.
Local transport authorities said at least 209 flights, both domestic and international, were directly or indirectly affected. The disruption has left many Korean residents, business travelers with scheduled trips and tourists stranded.
Direct flights to Jakarta scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport on the 6th by four carriers — Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, T'way Air and Garuda Indonesia — were all grounded, effectively severing air links between Korea and Jakarta.
Korean Air had earlier delayed its Incheon-Jakarta round trip on the 5th by about 13 hours and 20 minutes while monitoring conditions, but ultimately canceled the service. All of its flights the following day were canceled as well.
Some expect the disruption may not be resolved quickly. With the ash continuing to spread, whether flights will operate on the 7th remains unclear.
Asiana Airlines said irregular operations on its Jakarta route are expected to continue until 11:59 p.m. Korean time on the 7th, and advised passengers to check for updates before heading to the airport.
T'way Air issued a separate notice on the possibility of irregular operations for departures on the 7th. Some flights are listed as scheduled to depart in booking systems, but could be canceled at any time depending on local weather and ash conditions.
No Clear Departure Time as Airlines Waive Refund, Rebooking Fees
Airlines have moved to waive fees as part of emergency measures. T'way Air said it will fully waive refund and rebooking fees for flights confirmed as canceled.
Passengers who canceled on their own before an official cancellation announcement, however, must still pay the fees even if the flight is later canceled. Tickets booked through travel agencies must be canceled through those agencies. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are also applying their own natural disaster policies to help passengers with alternative flights and schedule changes.
The travel and airline industries are watching closely to see whether the airport closure drags on. Jakarta draws not only tourist demand but also corporate business travel, and serves as a key gateway for domestic connections within Indonesia. If flight restrictions persist, the damage could extend beyond ticket cancellations to local accommodations, transportation and business schedules, observers said.
Passengers connecting to domestic flights are expected to face particular inconvenience. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted an advisory on its overseas travel safety website on the 6th regarding the eruption, urging Korean nationals in the country to exercise heightened caution.
