Sakurajima Volcano eruption: Flight disruptions, travel warnings as ash plume covers parts of Japan

Multiple airlines have suffered major disruptions following a massive volcanic eruption that sent plumes of ash over four kilometres into the air.

The Sakurajima Volcano, located on the western island of Kyushu, sprang to life and erupted several times on Sunday morning (local time), causing chaos for international and domestic flights at several airports, including Kagoshima, Tokyo’s Haneda, and Okinoerabu.

Travellers have experienced widespread delays with at least 34 flights cancelled with ashfall warnings in the Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures, as the volcanic ash drifts to the Northeast.

Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, one of the busiest international airports in Japan, suffered significant disruptions with 168 flight delays and 21 cancellations, further exacerbating the strain on Japan’s air traffic system.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings, alerting residents and travellers to the hazardous conditions caused by the volcanic ashfall.

The volcanic ash is affecting air quality, leading to restrictions on access to Sakurajima and the surrounding areas.

Although no pyroclastic flows were reported, ashfall is expected to continue in parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki with further delays and cancellations anticipated.

Travellers are being advised to monitor flight statuses and stay informed about local weather and volcanic updates, as authorities continue to assess the situation.

Passengers should prepare for potential delays if they are flying in and out of affected regions in the coming days.

A spokesperson for Qantas told The Nightly that there had been “no impact to their operations” in the region to date.

The eruption marked the first time since October 18, 2024, that the volcano produced an ash plume above 4,000 metres.