Eight Airports Shut as Anak Krakatau Ash Spreads Across Java and Sumatra
Ash from the ongoing eruptions of Mount Anak Krakatau has forced the closure of eight airports across Indonesia, halting international and domestic flights and leaving roughly 170,000 passengers without travel options. The disruption, first reported by The National, began after the volcano erupted late on Friday and continued through the weekend.
Which Airports Are Affected
Jakarta's primary gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, was ordered closed until at least 6 pm local time on Monday. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and Pondok Cabe Airfield, both serving the greater Jakarta area, are also shut. Beyond the capital, closures extend to Radin Inten II International Airport in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung (West Java), and Budiarto Airport in Curug. Two domestic airports complete the list: Taufik Kiemas Airport in Pesisir Barat, Lampung, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.
Indonesian Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi acknowledged on Monday that seven of those airports, including the ones serving Lampung and West Java, would remain closed until at least 8:59 am, but added a frank caveat: "We cannot ascertain when this will end due to the dynamic weather."
How High and How Far the Ash Is Travelling
Meteorological agency BMKG reported ash columns reaching 6,000 metres on the Java side of the volcano and an extraordinary 15,000 metres on the Sumatra side. Anak Krakatau sits roughly midway between the two islands, meaning its plumes can drift toward densely populated regions in either direction. Jakarta and several surrounding areas have been blanketed in ash since the eruption began.
The volcano monitoring agency recorded the most recent eruption at 8:23 pm on Sunday and warned on Monday that further eruptions remain highly probable in the near term.
Flight Cancellations and Passenger Guidance
International carriers have responded swiftly. Emirates cancelled four Dubai-Jakarta flights on both Sunday and Monday, and advised that passengers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta would not be accepted at their point of origin until further notice. Etihad Airways has also cancelled and delayed services from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta. Travelers are urged to check airline websites and email notifications before heading to any airport.
On the ground, Jakarta and Lampung authorities have switched schools to remote learning to reduce ash-exposure risk for children. The disaster agency has called on anyone travelling outdoors to wear masks.
Volcanic Context
Anak Krakatau, whose name translates as "child of Krakatau," emerged roughly a century ago from the same undersea caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 eruptions that killed more than 36,000 people and generated tsunamis across the region. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making volcanic activity and seismic events recurring realities for the country and its travel infrastructure.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent accommodation operators in Jakarta, Bandung, Lampung, and the broader West Java corridor should prepare for a surge in last-minute cancellations as well as unexpected extended stays from guests who cannot fly out. Now is the time to review your cancellation and rebooking policies, communicate proactively with arriving guests about airport status, and keep a list of ground-transport alternatives to share with stranded travelers. Guests who cannot leave may also need practical guidance on ash safety: where to buy masks locally and how to protect outdoor areas of your property. A clear, calm communication sent to all upcoming arrivals will reduce anxiety and build trust regardless of how the situation develops.
Details in this post were first reported by The National on 7 September 2026. This analysis is published by the Qontaktly travel blog for independent hospitality operators and the travelers they host.
First reported by thenationalnews.com.