Indonesia's main airport -- the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport -- has resumed operation after Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption grounded flights across multiple Indonesian cities, but major flight disruptions persist as volcanic ash continues to clear from the capital's airspace.
According to Indonesia's geological authorities, Mount Anak Krakatau has been erupting since Sept 4, with a stronger eruption recorded on Sunday. These eruptions have led to closures of operation at multiple airports.
Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Development said in a statement Monday that the airport closures caused at least 2,961 flights to be delayed, diverted or canceled, affecting about 341,000 passengers. Eight airports across the country had been closed at one point due to the eruption.
The airport officially resumed normal operation early on Tuesday as the volcanic ash dispersed from the surrounding area. Despite the resumption of operation, airlines are still struggling to process a massive backlog of nearly 3,000 affected flights.
Departure screens at the airport showed that many domestic routes, including flights from Jakarta to Lampung, Surabaya and Semarang, have remained either delayed or canceled.
The airport's reopening has not meant an immediate return to normal travel for passengers. Many travelers have been forced to rebook or request refunds as airlines gradually restore services. An airline staff member at the airport said full normalization may not come until September 11.
"Maybe, 11th of September. [On] 11th of September, we have the normal," said the staffer.
Some passengers reported long waits and last-minute changes. One of a couple of travelers from New Zealand said their flight home on Wednesday was suddenly canceled, forcing them to wait at the airport for a replacement departure late that night.
"Well, we left our hotel at 12:00 o'clock and then we came out to the airport. We've got now until midnight before we leave," said the traveler.
Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, known as PVMBG, continues to monitor volcanic activity nationwide. The center's real-time hazard platform shows Anak Krakatau remains at a Level III alert, the second highest warning.
Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has erupted repeatedly in recent years. Its partial collapse in 2018 triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people.
Indonesia's main airport resumes operation after volcanic eruption, but flight disruptions persist
Indonesia's main airport resumes operation after volcanic eruption, but flight disruptions persist
On the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the United Nations (UN), China is highlighting its push for global civilizational dialogue, with the UN having adopted a China-proposed resolution designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.
On October 25, 1971, the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, restoring all the lawful rights of the PRC in the UN.
Today the UN has 193 member states, each with its own language, culture and history. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the secretary-general, who has served the UN for more than 25 years, said understanding across those differences begins with giving every voice room to be heard.
"I've been in the UN now for almost for more than 25 years and I've learned so much. And what has helped me learn about different people and different cultures is listening, right? And it's taken me a long time to learn that listening is the most important thing. And what I've learned is to listen and to ensure that people who may not speak are given the space to speak," said Dujarric.
To deepen understanding among countries with different histories and cultures, China proposed the Global Civilization Initiative in 2023. A year later, it put forward a proposal at the UN to establish an international day for dialogue among civilizations.
In June 2024, the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the China-proposed resolution, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, recalled the scene inside the General Assembly hall when the resolution passed.
"What I remember vividly is the moment in the General Assembly hall when the president struck the gavel and announced the resolution had been adopted by consensus, and all member states burst into warm applause. This is a successful practice of China's implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative, and it fully demonstrates that Chinese concepts are increasingly expanding into international consensus, showing strong leadership and vitality," he said.
The resolution has since moved from paper to practice, with the first commemorative event for the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations held at UN Headquarters in 2025.
On June 10 this year, China joined several permanent missions and partners, including the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in hosting another high-level event that drew nearly 300 representatives.
"China is working with all parties to actively implement the spirit of the relevant UN General Assembly resolution and strive to build platforms for equal dialogue among different civilizations. A series of colorful commemorative events at UN Headquarters and around the world are like trickling streams converging into a river of understanding and mutual trust," Fu said.
China committed to promoting dialogue among civilizations in UN
