Hong Kong agencies warn of lingering Jakarta flight delays after volcano eruption
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong employment and travel agencies have warned that air traffic disruptions in Jakarta could persist even after Indonesian airports resumed operations on Tuesday, as airlines work through a massive backlog of cancelled flights. The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa on Saturday forced eight airports to suspend operations, stranding more than 340,000 passengers and disrupting nearly 3,000 flights .
Key Points
- Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted on Saturday, unleashing a stream of lava and a towering plume of volcanic ash that forced eight Indonesian airports to suspend operations
- Nearly 3,000 flights were disrupted and more than 340,000 passengers were stranded as a result of the volcanic eruption
- All eight airports in Indonesia resumed operations on Tuesday, but airlines face a significant backlog of cancelled flights
- GLC (Manado) Employment Service founder and director Chu Shek-yin said he would not rush to book air tickets for his client's helper until Jakarta's airport operations stabilize
- Up to 200 Hong Kong-bound Indonesian domestic helpers were stranded by the eruption, including new employees and workers returning after holidays
- Employment agencies typically charge about HK$18,000 to bring over an Indonesian helper, including a one-way air ticket costing roughly HK$1,800 for an indirect flight
- Moon Yau Moon-yee, assistant general manager at Sunflower Travel Services, said the eruption had limited impact on the company's business because Bali remained served by direct flights operating normally
Why It Matters
The eruption highlights the ongoing vulnerability of air travel networks to natural disasters, with Hong Kong's domestic helper recruitment pipeline particularly exposed to volcanic activity along Indonesian flight routes. Even as operations resume, the backlog of flights and ongoing concerns about ash plumes could affect helper placements and travel plans for weeks to come .
The eruption highlights the ongoing vulnerability of air travel networks to natural disasters, with Hong Kong's domestic helper recruitment pipeline particularly exposed to volcanic activity along Indonesian flight routes. Even as operations resume, the backlog of flights and ongoing concerns about ash plumes could affect helper placements and travel plans for weeks to come .