World · Malaysia Bureau
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau eruption leaves Malaysians stranded in Jakarta
Malaysian nationals are among travellers left stranded in the Indonesian capital after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption disrupted air travel. With hotel availability limited and outbound flights booked solid, many face delays of at least two days.
LSN Malaysia ·
JAKARTA — Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption has left numerous Malaysian travellers stranded in Jakarta, unable to secure accommodation or secure immediate flights home. The eruption sent ash across the region, forcing authorities to restrict or suspend air operations at the capital's main airport, trapping thousands of passengers.
Hotels across Jakarta have reported near-total occupancy as stranded travellers scramble for rooms. Malaysian nationals attempting to return home face particular challenges, with airline staff indicating that available seats on Malaysia-bound flights are fully booked for the next two days at minimum.
The situation has created cascading disruptions for regional travel, with airlines unable to accommodate the sudden surge in passenger demand. Travellers have been advised to contact their airlines directly for rebooking options as volcanic ash continues to affect visibility and flight operations in the region.
Malaysian embassy officials have been monitoring the situation, though the scale of the disruption has overwhelmed immediate assistance efforts. Authorities expect air travel to gradually resume as volcanic ash settles, though no specific timeline has been provided for normal operations to resume.