JAKARTA (AFP) — Flights gradually resumed in Indonesia on Tuesday after an Anak Krakatau eruption forced major airports to close for days, disrupting nearly 3,000 flights and stranding more than 340,000 passengers.

Jakarta’s main airport and four others reopened early Tuesday after authorities cleared volcanic ash from critical infrastructure.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said about 178 aircraft were at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport but warned that operations would take time to return to normal.

“We will be operating these aircraft, but before we do so, we want to ensure their airworthiness. So, it may take a bit of extra time,” he said.

“We ask for a little patience from passengers and the public, as we will be carrying out inspections to ensure that these aircraft are fit to fly,” he added.

Three flights departed shortly after the airport reopened, including two commercial flights to eastern Indonesia.