Penang-Jakarta flights grounded as volcano eruption forces airport closure

Penang International Airport halted operations on Thursday following a volcanic eruption in Indonesia that prompted authorities to close airspace in the region. The eruption of Anak Krakatau triggered the cancellation of six scheduled flights bound for Jakarta, stranding around 1,000 travellers at the northern Malaysian airport.

The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, prompted Indonesian aviation authorities to implement restrictions on air traffic as a precautionary measure. The closure affected multiple carriers operating the Penang-Jakarta route, a key travel corridor between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Airport officials worked to reschedule affected passengers on alternative flights and provided assistance at the terminal. The temporary shutdown marked a significant disruption to cross-border air services during what is typically a busy travel period.

Authorities indicated that normal flight operations would resume once volcanic ash dispersal patterns were assessed and airspace clearance was granted by Indonesian regulators. The incident underscores the vulnerability of regional aviation routes to natural hazards in Southeast Asia's volcanically active zone.