Volcanic eruption in Indonesia disrupts Taiwan-Jakarta flights

Taipei, Sept. 7 (CNA) Taiwan's major international carriers canceled flights to and from Jakarta on Monday as volcanic ash from an eruption of Anak Krakatau remained over Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, temporarily halting takeoffs and landings.

Foreign media reports said the eruption forced Jakarta's main airport and six other airports in Indonesia to extend their shutdowns after volcanic ash affected air operations.

China Airlines (CAL) said its flight CI761 from Taoyuan to Jakarta and return flight CI762 scheduled for Monday were canceled as the Jakarta airport remained closed due to volcanic ash.

To assist affected passengers, CAL said it will deploy a larger aircraft for its flights CI763 and CI764, which are scheduled to leave Taoyuan on Tuesday night and return to Taoyuan on Wednesday morning.

The airline said it will continue monitoring local airport operations and weather conditions and adjust flight schedules depending on when the airport reopens to ensure flight safety.

Passengers were advised to check the latest flight updates through CAL's website, mobile app or SMS notification service.

EVA Airways said it canceled four Jakarta-Taipei flights on Monday -- its regular flight BR237 from Taoyuan to Jakarta and return flight BR238, and flights BR237D and BR238D that were rescheduled versions of flights BR237 and BR238 that were canceled on Sunday.

Starlux Airlines said some flights could be affected by the Anak Krakatau eruption, and it urged passengers to check its flight status updates for the latest information.

Anak Krakatau, located about 150 kilometers west of Jakarta, began erupting late Friday and intensified on Saturday, spewing lava and towering plumes of ash, while loud volcanic activity could be heard hundreds of kilometers away, according to foreign news reports.

Seven Indonesian airports remained closed Monday due to the spread of volcanic ash, causing the delays or cancellations of more than 1,500 flights and stranding 170,000 people, the reports said.

More than 900 of the affected flights involved Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the reports said.