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 stra