Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Anak Krakatau Ash Disrupts Flights, Jakarta Airport Reopens
Mount Anak Krakatau is a volcano between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.
It erupted several times and sent ash high into the sky.
Winds carried the ash toward Jakarta and other nearby places.
Volcanic ash can damage airplane engines, so airports were closed to keep flights safe.
Early reports said more than 270,000 travellers were affected, while later reports said the number had passed 340,000.
Many flights were delayed, cancelled or sent to different airports.
Jakarta’s main airport and four others reopened early Tuesday.
Officials said the volcano could erupt again, and people were told to wear masks outside.
Some schools in Jakarta and Lampung moved classes online.
No deaths or evacuation orders were reported in the articles.
Mount Anak Krakatau erupted repeatedly from late Friday through Sunday, sending ash across Jakarta and nearby provinces.
Seven airports were closed Monday, while later reports said eight had halted operations over the weekend.
Early reports cited about 2,300 disrupted flights and more than 270,000 affected travellers; later figures rose to nearly 3,000 flights and over 340,000 passengers.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and four other air hubs reopened early Tuesday, while two of the original eight airports remained closed.
Authorities warned that ash containing sulphur and silica could damage aircraft engines, advised outdoor mask use and shifted some schools to remote learning.
- Who
- Mount Anak Krakatau, Indonesian aviation and disaster authorities, airlines, airport workers, passengers and nearby residents were involved or affected.
- What
- Repeated eruptions spread volcanic ash, closing airports and disrupting thousands of flights before several airports reopened.
- When
- Activity began in late Friday; eruptions were reported Sunday, including one at 8:23 p.m.; several airports reopened early Tuesday.
- Where
- The ash came from Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra and spread over Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Lampung, Bengkulu and nearby waters.
- Why
- Airports were closed because ash could threaten flight safety by damaging aircraft engines; masks and remote learning were introduced because of health concerns.
Safety Authorities and Experts
Affected Travellers
Airport closures
Safety Authorities and Experts
Authorities and aviation experts said suspending operations was necessary because sulphur- and silica-laden ash could damage aircraft engines and threaten flight safety.
Affected Travellers
Passengers faced repeated delays, cancellations, unclear schedules and long waits, with some sleeping on airport benches.
Resuming flights
Safety Authorities and Experts
Officials said reopening decisions depended on ash conditions and changing weather, and that safety remained the priority.
Affected Travellers
Travellers wanted clearer information from airlines and airport operators about when their flights would depart and how they would reach their destinations.
- Airport closures
- Seven airports remained closed Monday morning; a later report said eight had halted operations over the weekend.
- Flight impact
- Monday reports cited about 2,300 delayed, diverted or cancelled flights; later figures cited nearly 3,000 disrupted flights.
- Passenger impact
- More than 270,000 travellers were initially reported affected; a later Transport Ministry figure exceeded 340,000.
- Airport reopening
- Soekarno-Hatta and four other airports reopened early Tuesday; two of the original eight were still closed.
- Ash height
- Ash reached about 20,000 feet over the Java side and up to 50,000 feet toward Sumatra and parts of Banten.
- Further eruptions
- Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency said the likelihood of additional eruptions remained high.
- Public measures
- People were advised to wear masks outdoors, and schools in Jakarta and Lampung shifted to remote learning.
Sources
Indonesia Volcano Crisis: Anak Krakatau Eruption Shuts Jakarta Airport, Disrupts 467 Flights And Affects 150,000 Passengers | Watch
Seven Indonesian airports closed due to Anak Krakatau volcanic ash, 270,000 travellers affected
Jakarta airport reopens after Mount Anak Krakatau ash disrupts nearly 3,000 flights
Anak Krakatau eruption: Seven Indonesian airports remain shut as volcanic ash disrupts air travel
