Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport and others as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts
Flights to and from Jakarta have resumed after a two-day closure caused by ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano. Authorities reopened five airports after clearing volcanic ash from critical infrastructure. Despite the reopening, two airports in Lampung remain closed for monitoring. The eruption has disrupted nearly 3,000 flights since September 5, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. Airlines warn that delays will continue as the region recovers from the ashfall.
What changed
Five airports, including Jakarta's main hub, have reopened after a two-day shutdown.
Live updates
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Jakarta airports reopen after Anak Krakatau eruption grounds 3,000 flights
Flights to and from Jakarta have resumed after a two-day closure caused by ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano. Authorities reopened five airports after clearing volcanic ash from critical infrastructure. Despite the reopening, two airports in Lampung remain closed for monitoring. The eruption has disrupted nearly 3,000 flights since September 5, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. Airlines warn that delays will continue as the region recovers from the ashfall.
Why it matters
The eruption began Sunday before 4am local time, sending ash plumes 15,200 metres over Java and Sumatra. This event exposed vulnerabilities in Indonesia's aviation, public health, and economic infrastructure. The crisis forced schools into remote learning and disrupted major carriers including Qantas, AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines.
What is confirmed
- Nearly 3,000 flights were canceled or delayed due to the eruption.
- Flights to and from Jakarta resumed after a two-day closure.
- Five airports have reopened following the removal of volcanic ash from critical infrastructure.
Still unconfirmed
- Between 341,000 and 350,000 passengers remain stranded.
- Two Lampung airports remain closed under monitoring.
What to watch next
- Reopening of the remaining Lampung airports
- Official reports on economic losses from aviation disruptions
- Updates on school returns to in-person learning
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- www.aljazeera.com — Indonesia airports reopen after volcanic ash disrupts thousands of flights
- www.timesnownews.com — WATCH: Anak Krakatau Erupts, Volcanic Ash Grounds Nearly 3,000 Flights
- www.devdiscourse.com — Can Indonesia Keep Its Skies Open When Anak Krakatau Turns Volcanic Ash into Economic Risk?
- apnews.com — Flights to and from Indonesia’s capital resume after volcanic eruption forced a 2-day closure
- www.ibtimes.sg — Anak Krakatoa Eruption: Are Flights Safe Now? Indonesia Reopens Airports As 350,000 travelers Remain Stranded
- themeghalayanexpress.com — Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian capital kill 2 people, ending pause in attacks
- www.wvnews.com — China's Huawei Technologies faces racketeering trial in New York
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Indonesia maintains airport closures as Anak Krakatau eruption eases
Indonesia is keeping seven airports closed and shifting schools to remote learning despite a decrease in Anak Krakatau volcanic activity. The eruption began Sunday just before 4am local time, sending ash plumes up to 15,200 metres over Java and Sumatra. The disruption stranded between 170,000 and 270,000 passengers, forcing the suspension of all operations at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Major carriers including Qantas, AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines cancelled or altered flights as ash drifted across western Indonesia.
Why it matters
Anak Krakatau is the volcanic offspring of the 1883 eruption that altered global climate. It is located in the Sunda Strait, placing it near critical air corridors and densely populated regions of Java and Sumatra.
What is confirmed
- Anak Krakatau erupted on Sunday just before 4am local time.
- Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport suspended all operations.
- The eruption caused the cancellation or alteration of flights by Qantas, AirAsia, and Singapore Airlines.
- Several airports and schools remain affected despite the eruption easing.
Still unconfirmed
- The eruption disrupted over 2,300 flights and affected more than 270,000 passengers.
- One ash cloud reached 6,100 metres and drifted over Jakarta and Banten, while another reached 15,200 metres and moved over Lampung and Bengkulu.
- Angkasa Pura reported 301 disrupted flights, including 58 international flights, with 170 aircraft left on the apron overnight.
- Approximately 170,000 passengers were stranded by drifting ash.
What to watch next
- Official reopening dates for the seven closed airports
- Updates on the status of remote learning for affected schools
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- apnews.com — Indonesia keeps several airports closed though volcanic eruption is easing
- www.asahi.com — Volcanic island in Indonesia erupts, hundreds of flights canceled
- www.insurancebusinessmag.com — Qantas, others stop flights as Krakatau's offspring erupts
- aviationtoday.in — Anak Krakatau Volcanic Eruption Disrupts 2,300 Flights, Forces Closure Of 7 Airports
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Indonesia Cancels Flights as Anak Krakatau Erupts
Indonesia canceled flights at Jakarta airport and other hubs due to an ongoing volcanic eruption at Anak Krakatau. The eruption generated a volcanic ash cloud that halted hundreds of flights at the major airport hub. Local authorities also suspended schools and fishing activities in the surrounding area. No casualties have been reported so far, and no evacuation order has been issued. The nearest settlement is located more than 16 kilometers away from the volcano, though officials issued warnings to residents and visitors to stay away from the danger zone.
Why it matters
Anak Krakatau is an active volcano in Indonesia known for hazardous ash emissions that threaten regional air traffic and local communities. Volcanic activity frequently disrupts transportation networks across the archipelago nation, which sits on the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire. Aviation authorities closely monitor ash clouds to prevent engine damage and ensure passenger safety during major eruptions.
What is confirmed
- Indonesia canceled flights at Jakarta airport and other locations as the Anak Krakatau volcano erupted.
- A volcanic ash cloud halted flights at Indonesia's main international airport and disrupted hundreds of flights.
- No casualties were reported and no evacuation order was issued following the eruption.
- The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers away from the volcano.
- Authorities warned residents and visitors to stay clear of the area.
What to watch next
- Updates from aviation authorities regarding the reopening of Jakarta airport and other affected flight paths.
- Further advisories from local disaster management regarding evacuation status or danger zone radius.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- Reuters — Indonesia's Anak Krakatau eruption halts flights, schools, fishing
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts
- The Guardian — Volcanic ash cloud halts flights at Indonesia’s main international airport
- ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Indonesia flights suspended due to ongoing volcanic eruption
- BBC — Volcano eruption triggers flight suspensions at Indonesia's main airport
- CNN — Indonesia’s volcanic eruption halts flights, schools, fishing
- CBS News — Indonesia volcano eruption cancels hundreds of flights in major airport hub
- Sky News — Anak Krakatau: Volcano eruption disrupts hundreds of flights
- NBC News — Indonesia cancels flights as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts
- www.newindianexpress.com — Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport and others as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts