Japan's Sakurajima volcano erupts violently, disrupting flights and travel

Mount Sakurajima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, erupted multiple times on May 15 and 16, sending volcanic ash up to 3,000 meters into the sky and forcing the cancellation of 25 flights at Kagoshima Airport.

The disruptions left hundreds of passengers stranded, with airlines scrambling to handle a surge in rebooking and refund requests.

Flight chaos as ash cloud spreads

The eruptions, which began early on May 15, spewed thick plumes of ash that drifted toward Kagoshima Airport, prompting authorities to suspend operations from 5 pm onward.

Major carriers, including Japan Airlines (JAL) and Skymark Airlines, canceled flights to and from Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, and Amami airports. One JAL flight was even diverted mid-route to avoid the ash cloud.

ANA All Nippon Airways preemptively canceled several flights for May 16, while airport officials announced they would assess runway conditions overnight and deploy sweeping vehicles if needed to clear volcanic debris.

Passengers stranded

With flights grounded, travelers rushed to board buses to Kagoshima City, causing long queues at transit hubs.

Airport staff reported unprecedented crowds at information counters, with tourists urgently inquiring about hotel availability and alternative transport.

"This level of chaos is something we usually only see during typhoon season," said an airport employee. "But unlike typhoons, volcanic eruptions are unpredictable, so we couldn’t prepare in advance."

Prolonged eruption raises safety concerns

The third and most intense eruption began at 10.45am on May 15 and continued for over 12 hours, with explosive bursts heard late into the night.

The Kagoshima weather watchdog warned that heavy ashfall could reach mainland Kagoshima if eruptions persisted past 3am on May 16, urging drivers to exercise caution.

This marks the first time since November 2019 that Sakurajima has emitted continuous smoke for over 10 hours. The ash column’s height - reaching 3,000 meters - was also the tallest recorded since December 2023.