Air travel to and from Jakarta has resumed after a two-day closure caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. The eruption disrupted nearly 3,000 flights and affected hundreds of thousands of passengers.

  • Flights to Jakarta's major airports resumed on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  • The eruption of Anak Krakatau caused the cancellation of nearly 2,961 flights.
  • Approximately 341,000 passengers were affected by the regional travel disruption.

Flight operations to and from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, have officially resumed following a massive disruption caused by the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano. The two-day closure was necessitated by high concentrations of volcanic ash in the atmosphere, posing a severe risk to aviation safety.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi announced that Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport reopened shortly after midnight. While most major hubs are operational, some smaller airports, such as Radin Inten II in Lampung, remained closed until mid-morning as authorities maintained a conservative approach to ensure all ash deposits were cleared.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the volatility of the Sunda Strait makes it one of the most challenging aviation corridors in Southeast Asia. The sudden closure of Jakarta's airspace highlights the immense economic impact of volcanic activity, which can ripple through international travel networks and supply chains within hours.

Volcanic ash is an invisible killer for jet engines, making proactive airport closures a critical safety necessity rather than a choice.

The eruption, characterized by lava fountains and thunderous booms, led to the cancellation of 622 international services. The scale of the disruption was massive, leaving roughly 341,000 passengers stranded or delayed across the archipelago. To mitigate health risks, the government also transitioned local schools to online learning to protect students from ash exposure.

Historical Background

Anak Krakatau, meaning 'child of Krakatau,' is a volcanic island located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. It is the descendant of the infamous 1883 Krakatau eruption, one of the deadliest volcanic events in recorded history. In 2018, a similar eruption triggered an underwater landslide and a devastating tsunami that claimed at least 430 lives.

Did You Know?: Indonesia sits atop the 'Pacific Ring of Fire,' a massive horseshoe-shaped zone where most of the world's seismic and volcanic activity occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is volcanic ash dangerous for airplanes?
Volcanic ash can melt inside jet engines, causing them to stall and fail, which makes flying through ash clouds extremely hazardous.

2. How many flights were affected by the eruption?
A total of 2,961 flights, including over 600 international services, were cancelled during the two-day period.