Krakatau Ash Keeps Seven Indonesian Airports Closed
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau is keeping seven Indonesian airports closed on Monday 7 September, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports. The disruption began after an eruption started late on 4 September and sent ash into airspace over Java and Sumatra. Authorities have now extended the airport closures until 23:59 WIB on 7 September while wind direction and ash levels continue to be monitored.
The eruption began late on 4 September and continued into 6 September. Several smaller Strombolian eruptions were recorded after the main episode ended. On Monday morning, volcanic ash was still being detected at two flight levels, reaching 15,000 and 50,000 feet. Anak Krakatau remains at Alert Level III, and affected airports will reopen only when authorities consider flying conditions safe.
Airport Status on 7 September
- Closed until 23:59 WIB: Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, Radin Inten II, Budiarto, Pondok Cabe, Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas and Husein Sastranegara.
- Reopened: Atung Bungsu at 09:00 after ash checks came back negative.
- Affected since 5 September: Around 2,300 flights and 270,337 passengers by 09:00 Monday.
- Before leaving: Check your flight and airport status first; closures may be extended.
- Near Anak Krakatau: Stay outside the 3km exclusion zone.
- Diversions: Some flights have been moved to alternative airports, including Kertajati, so check the airport as well as the flight number before travelling.
- Connections: If you have a domestic or international connection after Jakarta, check both sectors separately because cancellations have also affected onward routes such as Jakarta–Labuan Bajo.
- Ashfall: In affected areas, follow local health advice and reduce unnecessary outdoor exposure while ash remains in the air.
The disruption is also reaching routes beyond the seven closed airports. Eight Jakarta–Labuan Bajo flights were cancelled on 7 September, affecting 1,154 passengers, while some Garuda Indonesia services have been diverted to Kertajati. Airlines may cancel, delay or reroute flights as ash moves, so check both the flight number and the airport being used before setting off for the terminal.
Some Jakarta flights are beginning to return in the early hours of 8 September. Garuda Indonesia plans to resume services from 00:01 WIB on 8 September, while Citilink says flights scheduled after 07:00 WIB on 8 September will depend on individual airports being cleared to reopen. Travellers flying on 8 September should check their exact flight status before leaving for the airport, as delays, cancellations and schedule changes may continue during the recovery.
