KUALA LUMPUR: Batik Air has cancelled eight scheduled flights between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta due to a volcanic eruption in Indonesia.
The said the flights were cancelled as a precautionary measure following continued volcanic activity at Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, between Jawa and Sumatra.
The airline said the cancellations followed the latest Notice to Airmenissued by AirNav Indonesia, which indicated that flight operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta were affected.
"In view of the situation, the following scheduled flights have been cancelled, OD398, OD399, OD346 OD347, OD388, OD389, OD390 and OD391.
"The proactive step follows close coordination with aviation authorities and airport operators, with passenger and crew safety remaining its top priority," the statement added.
Batik Air said volcanic ash in the airspace could reduce visibility, interfere with aircraft navigation systems and potentially compromise engine performance.
The airline said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide updates on flight operations through its official website and social media channels.
"Affected passengers will also be notified through their registered contact details.
"Passengers whose flights have been cancelled may request to reschedule their travel to the next available Batik Air flight, subject to availability, or opt for a refund," the statement added.
Bernama reported that the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta's main airport, was temporarily closed on Sunday after volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau was detected in the airport area, disrupting 209 flights and affecting 22,798 passengers.
Civil Aviation Director General Lukman F Laisa said 16 international flights were cancelled, seven delayed and five rescheduled, involving services to and from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam.
The Geological Agency in a special report published on its website on Saturday said Anak Krakatau has remained at Level III, or Siaga, since July 2, with repeated eruptions ejecting incandescent material and volcanic ash.
The agency said continuous eruptive activity accompanied by rumbling was recorded from 11.07pm local time on Saturday, with the phenomenon resembling a lava fountain and producing lava flows, while a three-kilometre exclusion zone remained in place around the volcano.
