Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Indonesian Flights as Volcanic Ash Spreads Across Western Indonesia
Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted again, forcing the temporary closure of several airports and disrupting hundreds of flights on Sunday, September 6. Volcanic ash from the eruption spread across parts of western Indonesia, creating serious risks for aircraft operations.
Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was temporarily shut after volcanic ash was detected in the airport area. Indonesian aviation authorities initially reported 209 affected flight movements and 22,798 passengers impacted during the closure period.
The disruption extended beyond Jakarta. Halim Perdanakusuma, Radin Inten II in Lampung and Budiarto Airport in Curug were also temporarily closed because of ash contamination and concerns over flight safety. Authorities subsequently extended or adjusted operating restrictions as monitoring continued.
Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG, said satellite monitoring identified volcanic-ash concentrations stretching from Banten and Jakarta toward parts of West Java and Bengkulu. The agency issued repeated aviation warnings as the ash cloud moved through the atmosphere.
The disruption has also affected international aviation. Airlines have cancelled, delayed or rescheduled services involving destinations including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha and Amsterdam. AirAsia said all flights to and from Jakarta were cancelled or rescheduled following the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta.
The ash plume has reached altitudes of up to around 50,000 feet, according to reports citing aviation and disaster authorities. Volcanic ash at such altitudes can pose a major hazard to aircraft engines and visibility, making flight restrictions a critical safety measure.
The eruption has also disrupted daily life around the Sunda Strait. Schools in affected areas have moved activities online or suspended classes, while fishing activity has been restricted because of the ash and associated health risks. Authorities have distributed masks and advised residents to limit exposure to volcanic ash.
Indonesia’s disaster-management and aviation authorities continue to monitor Anak Krakatau and the movement of its ash cloud. Officials have stressed that airport operating conditions can change rapidly depending on ash concentrations, wind direction and updated aviation-safety assessments.
The latest disruption comes with heightened attention because Anak Krakatau remains one of Indonesia’s active volcanoes. The volcano emerged from the sea after the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption and was responsible for the deadly 2018 eruption and tsunami. No tsunami threat was reported from the latest activity.
