Ash falls over Jakarta as stranded Australians wait for flights home

Flights have been cancelled, leaving Australians stranded in Indonesia as volcanic ash disrupts airspace. Liz Kendall, a resident of Mount Eliza in Victoria, has spent three days in a basic Jakarta hotel, watching ash fall from the sky and awaiting information on when she can return home to Australia. Originally scheduled to depart on Saturday evening following a three-week sailing trip, Ms Kendall's Qantas flight was cancelled after the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau dispersed volcanic ash across parts of Indonesia on Friday. Indonesia's main international airport, Soekarno Hatta International, and seven other airports remain closed. The transport ministry estimates that approximately 170,000 passengers have been impacted by flight cancellations. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the situation's resolution depends on dynamic weather conditions. Qantas has suspended services to Jakarta from Melbourne and Sydney due to the volcanic ash. A spokeswoman noted that meteorologists and operations teams are closely monitoring conditions in and around Jakarta, prioritizing passenger safety. Ms Kendall expressed frustration with Qantas, stating that initial communications via text message ceased. She was placed on hold for several hours and was told to await contact once flights resume, which may take considerable time. Despite multiple attempts to reach her, Ms Kendall feels she is not receiving sufficient updates. She is staying in a Jakarta hotel costing about $47 per night and mentioned that the group is becoming discouraged due to the lack of clear information. Some members of her group are contemplating traveling by train to another airport before attempting to fly through Bali, though Ms Kendall has opted to stay in Jakarta. She cautioned that shifting winds could render such plans ineffective. Indonesia's volcano-monitoring agency reported that the latest eruption occurred on Sunday evening and warned that further eruptions remain highly probable. Ash has reached up to 20,000 feet on the Java side of the volcano and as high as 50,000 feet over Sumatra, according to officials. Qantas operates direct flights between Jakarta and Sydney and Melbourne, with flights QF39, QF40, QF41, and QF42 affected. Passengers booking eligible Jakarta flights on or before September 5 for travel between September 5 and 11 will receive free refunds, travel credits, or date changes. Travelers are urged to monitor Qantas' flight-status service or app for updates. Singapore Airlines has also cancelled multiple services between Singapore and Jakarta, while Virgin Australia does not operate flights to Jakarta. Virgin and Jetstar services to Bali remain unaffected. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued updated travel advisories, warning that airports in affected areas may close unexpectedly. Australians are advised to monitor flight statuses and consult directly with airlines or travel providers before heading to the airport. DFAT has also cautioned that volcanic ash may impact air quality, urging individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions to exercise caution. For Ms Kendall, the delay poses a significant personal challenge, as she holds a $2,500 ticket to Friday's NFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and fears she will miss it. "I doubt it," she remarked. "I would."