Jakarta Airport Halts Flights as Volcanic Ash Spreads from Anak Krakatau
Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau reached Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Sunday, prompting authorities to suspend airport operations until 1:30 pm local time. The volcano had begun erupting late on Friday, according to a transportation ministry spokesman, and ash was detected at the airport early Sunday morning.
The disruption quickly cascaded across regional air routes, with multiple Malaysian carriers pulling scheduled services to and from the Indonesian capital.
Which Flights Were Cancelled
Malaysia Airlines confirmed it was cancelling 12 flights operating between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, covering routes across several scheduled departures and arrivals. The airline stated it was closely monitoring the evolving situation and would communicate updates directly to affected passengers. Travelers were directed to check their booking status through the Malaysia Airlines website or reach out via its live chat and global contact centre.
Batik Air, which operates under Indonesia's Lion Air Group, cancelled eight flights between Malaysia and Jakarta. Six of those services ran between KLIA and Soekarno-Hatta, while two connected Subang airport to the Jakarta hub. The airline said it would continue monitoring conditions and publish updates through its official website and social media.
AirAsia had already announced earlier in the day that it was cancelling or rescheduling a number of affected flights, urging passengers to check the latest status online or contact customer support.
In total, Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air alone accounted for 20 cancelled flights on the day, with the broader impact still developing as the airport's suspension remained in effect.
What Travelers Should Do Now
Anyone with travel plans involving Jakarta in the near term should take a few practical steps. First, check directly with your airline for the latest flight status before heading to any airport. Second, keep an eye on official updates from Soekarno-Hatta and Indonesia's transportation ministry, as the situation was still evolving at the time of reporting. Third, if you have onward connections or accommodation bookings in Jakarta, contact those providers proactively. Volcanic disruptions can extend beyond a single day depending on wind patterns and eruption activity.
Passengers booked through third-party platforms should also contact those booking channels directly, as Batik Air specifically noted that rebooking assistance is available through original booking sources.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent accommodation operators and tour hosts in the Jakarta area should prepare for a wave of last-minute cancellations and rescheduling requests. Guests arriving from Malaysia and other regional markets may face multi-day delays if ash dispersal continues. Now is a good moment to review your cancellation and rebooking policies, communicate proactively with guests who have upcoming arrivals, and consider offering flexible date changes rather than strict no-show penalties. Guests who feel supported during disruptions like this are far more likely to rebook and leave positive reviews once conditions normalize. Keeping your availability calendar updated in real time will also help prevent double-bookings as travelers scramble to reschedule.
This story was first reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
First reported by freemalaysiatoday.com.