Jakarta Flights Disrupted as Anak Krakatau Ash Affects Airports

Source-checked update: This article brings together information checked against primary sources and independent reporting available at publication time. Full source links are listed at the end of the article.

Anak Krakatau’s ongoing eruption and volcanic-ash dispersion are disrupting air travel to Jakarta, with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and other Indonesian airports temporarily closed or restricted. Malaysia Airports reported 31 Jakarta-bound flights cancelled from Malaysian airports on September 6, while travelers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport faced lengthy waits and uncertainty.

What Happened

Indonesia’s Badan Geologi reported that a continuous eruption of Anak Krakatau began at 23:07 WIB on September 4, producing volcanic ash and leaving the volcano at Level III alert status. The ash affected aviation operations across the region as Indonesian authorities monitored conditions and adjusted airport operations.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said temporary closures affecting Soekarno-Hatta and other airports were extended through midnight on September 6. Its 17:00 WIB update recorded 1,558 delayed flights across eight affected airports, showing that the disruption extends beyond Jakarta-bound services from Malaysia.

Malaysia Airports separately reported 31 cancelled flights to Jakarta from Malaysian airports on September 6. The total included 21 cancellations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, six at Penang, two at Subang, one at Kuching and one at Kota Bharu.

Airline notices confirmed the operational impact. Malaysia Airlines listed multiple Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta cancellations because volcanic ash was affecting Soekarno-Hatta operations. AirAsia said its flights to and from Jakarta were cancelled or rescheduled and that affected passengers were being contacted about recovery options.

The disruption remained active on September 6. Although Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that the continuous eruption episode ended at 00:04 WIB that day, ash-related airport restrictions and flight disruption continued later in the day.

What This Means for Travelers

Travelers flying to or from Jakarta should expect that scheduled services may not operate normally while airport restrictions and ash conditions remain in place. A confirmed booking does not necessarily mean a flight will depart as planned, and the impact may vary by airline, route and departure airport.

The 31-flight figure applies specifically to Jakarta-bound flights from Malaysian airports. It should not be read as the total number of flights affected across Indonesia. Indonesian authorities reported a much broader operational impact, including delays across eight airports.

Passengers may face cancellations, rescheduling or extended waits at the airport. Travelers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport were reported stranded for more than 12 hours after Jakarta flight cancellations, confirming that the disruption is affecting passengers directly rather than being limited to timetable changes.

Connections through Jakarta may also be difficult to complete if the affected flight is cancelled or rescheduled. Travelers should therefore check the status of each sector of a journey, rather than relying only on the original departure time or an unchanged itinerary in a booking app.

Conditions can change as volcanic ash disperses and airport authorities reassess safety. A flight that is listed as delayed may later be rescheduled or cancelled, while a service that remains visible in an airline timetable may still be subject to operational changes.

What Travelers Should Do Now

Check directly with the operating airline before leaving for the airport. Review the airline’s latest flight notice, booking status and any message about cancellation, rescheduling or recovery options. This is particularly important for services between Malaysia and Jakarta, where multiple airlines have issued disruption notices.

Also check the departure and arrival airport’s official status before traveling. Indonesian airport restrictions are affecting more than one location, and broader delays have been reported across eight airports.

If an airline has contacted you, follow its instructions on rebooking or other recovery options and keep monitoring the booking for updates. Passengers whose flights remain scheduled should still allow extra time for changes and avoid assuming that an earlier airport status will remain valid throughout the day.

Travelers already at an airport should use the airline’s official service channels for the latest instructions. If a service has been cancelled, confirm the next available option directly with the airline before making further arrangements based on the original itinerary.

For journeys involving a connection through Jakarta, verify both the incoming and onward flights. A change to one segment may affect the rest of the itinerary, especially while Soekarno-Hatta operations remain subject to ash-related restrictions.

What Is Confirmed

• Anak Krakatau began a continuous eruption at 23:07 WIB on September 4, with volcanic ash reported and the volcano remaining at Level III alert status.
• Volcanic ash led to temporary closures or restrictions affecting Soekarno-Hatta and other Indonesian airports.
• Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation reported 1,558 delayed flights across eight affected airports as of its 17:00 WIB update on September 6.
• Malaysia Airports reported 31 Jakarta-bound flights cancelled from Malaysian airports on September 6.
• Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia issued notices confirming cancellations or rescheduling linked to ash-related effects at Soekarno-Hatta.
• The disruption remained active on September 6, with passengers reported stranded at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Sources

Primary sources

• Fenomena Erupsi Menerus Gunungapi Anak Krakatau Tanggal 5 September 2026
• Menhub Dudy: Hasil Monitoring, Penutupan Sementara Delapan Bandara Diperpanjang Hingga 24.00 WIB
• Cancellation of flights to/from Jakarta on 6 September 2026 due to volcanic ash activity
• AirAsia flights impacted by the Mount Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption

Independent reporting

• Anak Krakatau Eruption: 31 Jakarta-Bound Flights From Malaysia Cancelled – MAHB
• Jakarta airport suspends flights due to Mount Anak Krakatau ash; SIA among affected airlines
• Volcanic island in Indonesia erupts, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights
• At KLIA, stranded travellers hope Jakarta flights resume soon after Anak Krakatau eruption
• Letusan Anak Krakatau: 31 penerbangan ke Jakarta dari Malaysia dibatalkan

Editorial note

This Travel News article was prepared by the VibrantGateways Team using publicly available information and primary sources where available. AI-assisted tools may be used during research and drafting, with publication subject to our editorial verification process.

Travel information can change quickly. Schedules, routes, prices, entry requirements, availability and other time-sensitive details should be confirmed with the relevant official provider or authority before making travel decisions.

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