Hong Kong firms anticipate prolonged travel disruptions from Indonesian volcanic ash
Hong Kong employment and travel agencies warn that flight disruptions in Jakarta may continue even after the airport reopened following a volcanic eruption. Airlines are working through a backlog, and a helper's arrival could be delayed by a week or more. One agency director is waiting for stable operations before booking tickets.
The agency charges approximately HK$18,000 per helper placement, with a one-way indirect ticket costing about HK$1,800. A previous eruption over a year ago forced the director to split the cost of a replacement ticket with his client after a helper was stranded.
Despite all eight Indonesian airports resuming operations on Tuesday, the director remains hesitant to purchase tickets until flight schedules are fully reliable. The accumulated flight delays mean the helper's visa processing is complete, but her actual arrival is now projected to be at least a week later than originally planned.
These prolonged disruptions could affect Hong Kong households that depend on foreign domestic workers, potentially delaying essential childcare or eldercare support. Employment agencies may face financial strain from absorbing rebooking costs, which could be passed on to clients. Additionally, the uncertainty might prompt families to adjust their expectations or seek alternative arrangements, while the broader travel sector could see reduced passenger flow between Hong Kong and Jakarta until airline schedules fully recover.