Indonesia's primary international airport, Soekarno-Hatta International, located near Jakarta, suspended flight operations on Sunday morning due to volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Anak Krakatau. The airport announced the halt would continue until 1:30 PM local time, citing "increased eruptive activity" from the volcano, which is situated over 150 kilometers away.

The eruption of Anak Krakatau, which began late Friday, has sent volcanic ash high into the atmosphere. The meteorological agency BMKG reported ash reaching altitudes of 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) on the Java side and up to 15,000 meters (50,000 feet) on the Sumatra side, with some ash reaching parts of Banten province in Java. The volcano has also produced a fountain of lava and audible booming sounds that traveled hundreds of kilometers.

An earlier suspension of flights was scheduled to end at 5:30 AM Sunday. However, the extended closure followed a "paper test" conducted by authorities, which confirmed the presence of volcanic ash at the airport. This test, performed between 12:35 AM and 1:05 AM, led to the decision to continue the suspension. The Ministry of Transportation stated that 33 flights had been affected by the initial suspension, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays.

Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa emphasized that safety is the paramount consideration in operational decisions. He assured that authorities are continuously monitoring the situation in coordination with airlines, air navigation services, and the meteorological agency. The ongoing monitoring aims to ensure swift adjustments to flight schedules as the volcanic activity evolves.

Singapore Airlines was among the carriers impacted by the eruption. The airline had already canceled two flights to and from Jakarta on Saturday and reported delays for two more flights into Sunday. The disruptions highlight the significant impact volcanic ash can have on air travel, posing a serious hazard to aircraft engines and visibility.

Mount Anak Krakatau, meaning "Child of Krakatoa," emerged in the 1920s within the caldera of the historically catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption. The volcano has a history of periodic eruptions. Notably, a 2018 eruption led to a partial collapse of its crater, triggering a deadly tsunami that claimed over 400 lives along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.

Despite the significant eruption, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency confirmed on Saturday that there was no immediate risk of a tsunami associated with the current activity. The agency is monitoring the volcano's behavior and its potential impact on surrounding areas.

Authorities are continuing to assess the ash cloud's trajectory and density to determine when it will be safe to resume normal flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The situation remains dynamic, with updates expected as the volcanic activity and atmospheric conditions are further analyzed.