KLIA becomes fallback for some Jakarta flights after Anak Krakatau eruption

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Malaysia’s main international gateway in Sepang has become an alternative airport for Jakarta-bound flights after volcanic ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau disrupted air traffic in Indonesia, news outlet Free Malaysia Today reported.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) chief executive officer Norazman Mahmud said two flights bound for Jakarta had so far been diverted to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) so far, with Malaysia allowing the airport to serve as a contingency gateway for affected flights.

“Some aircraft bound for Jakarta have been diverted to KLIA. So far, we have received two diverted flights,” he was quoted as saying on the sidelines of the 61st Conference of Directors-General of Civil Aviation for the Asia and Pacific Region here today.

He said one flight from Oman was diverted to KLIA this morning, while another from Saudi Arabia was diverted yesterday.

Indonesia suspended operations at eight airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau spread across parts of Java and Sumatra from Friday.

About 170,000 passengers have been affected by flight cancellations so far.