Star Metro - Flights resume gradually in Indonesia after volcanic eruption

The disruption, caused by the eruption of Anak Krakatau, halted nearly 3,000 flights and stranded more than 340,000 passengers.

Five airports including the country's main hub serving the capital Jakarta reopened after authorities cleared volcanic ash from critical infrastructure.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi told reporters it may take "a bit" longer for flight schedules to return to normal.

"We will be operating these aircraft, but before we do so, we want to ensure their airworthiness. So, it may take a bit of extra time," he said of the nearly 180 jets currently at Jakarta's Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.

"We ask for a little patience from passengers and the public, as we will be carrying out inspections to ensure that these aircraft are fit to fly."

Airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia said in a statement that volcanic ash had been cleared from the runway and other areas to ensure the facilities were safe for flights.

Three planes had already departed shortly after the airport reopened in the early morning, including two commercial flights to eastern Indonesia, the minister said.

At the airport, an Indonesian businessman, Heri, told AFP he was supposed to travel to Egypt on Monday, but that flight had been cancelled.

"I'm relieved" that the airport reopened, said Heri, who like many Indonesians only has one name.

"That's why we rushed over here to make sure we could leave today," the 52-year-old said, even though he still did not know when he would finally be able to fly.

"I was worried for a while. To go abroad, we must prepare everything well in advance... That's what had us concerned, because we couldn't do things in a hurry and everything was still unclear."

Nozomi, a Japanese tourist who only gave one name, told AFP the airport closure left her confused because authorities had not provided clear information.

"I hope things stay like this, no delays, no closing airports. I hope everyone can go where they want to go," said the 37-year-old homemaker who came to Indonesia for a family holiday.

Anak Krakatau, which had a major eruption on Saturday, sits in a strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.

The volcano erupted at least three times on Tuesday morning alone, according to the head of the national Geology Agency, Lana Saria.

Anak Krakatau -- meaning Child of Krakatau -- has been sporadically active since it emerged from the sea nearly a century ago in the caldera formed after the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau.

A 2018 tsunami triggered by the collapse of parts of Anak Krakatau killed more than 400 people and displaced thousands.

L.Mitchell--SMC