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Anak Krakatau Ash Cloud Disrupts Indonesian Air Travel

Sunday, September 6, 2026
Part of: Anak Krakatau Eruptions Disrupt Indonesian Air Travel (2 clusters · 06-09-2026 → 07-09-2026) →
Sources abc.net.au 1aljazeera.com 1bbc.co.uk 1cbc.ca 1cbsnews.com 1dw.com 1euronews.com 1france24.com 1globalnews.ca 1nypost.com 1theguardian.com 1
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nypost.com

A crowded airport terminal is shown, with many travelers standing in check-in lines among luggage carts, suitcases, and queue barriers. Overhead signs point to emergency exits, check-in and self check-in counters, a prayer room, and an exit, while several people wear face masks.

Summary

Mount Anak Krakatau erupted repeatedly in early September 2026, sending lava, ash and volcanic gases across western Indonesia and disrupting transportation and daily life. Ash plumes reaching as high as about 15,000 metres entered airspace near Jakarta, prompting the closure of Soekarno-Hatta and other airports in Java, Sumatra and nearby regions. Depending on the reporting period, up to 1,558 flights and roughly 170,000 passengers were affected, including international services to Singapore, Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur. Ashfall also disrupted schools, fishing and local activities, causing eye and respiratory irritation. Authorities reported no deaths, evacuation orders or immediate tsunami threat, but urged people to avoid the crater, wear protective equipment and limit outdoor exposure while monitoring the volcano, whose past activity caused a deadly tsunami in 2018.

Key Points

  • Repeated eruptions and ash plumes from Anak Krakatau led to the closure of up to eight airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
  • Flight disruptions escalated from hundreds of affected movements to as many as 1,558 cancellations and approximately 170,000 impacted passengers, with international and domestic routes affected.
  • Ashfall spread across Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Lampung, the Sunda Strait and nearby waters, disrupting schools, fishing and outdoor activities and causing eye and respiratory irritation.
  • Authorities reported no casualties, evacuations or immediate tsunami threat, but advised residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometres from the crater and use masks and eye protection.
  • The eruption revived concerns about Anak Krakatau’s history, including its 2018 volcanic collapse and tsunami that killed more than 400 people along Java and Sumatra.

Articles in this Cluster

Volcano Mount Anak Krakatau eruption causes flight suspensions in Indonesia - ABC News

An eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel and daily activities in parts of Indonesia. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta’s main airport, suspended flight operations for several hours because volcanic ash from the ongoing eruption was detected near the airport. The suspension was extended from the originally scheduled 5:30am local time to 9:30am, affecting 209 flights, including several international services, according to Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry. Mount Anak Krakatau began erupting late on Friday, and ash was detected at the airport early Sunday. The eruption has also affected Lampung province on Sumatra and Banten province on Java. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency, Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), said ashfall had disrupted activities in both provinces and urged residents to remain calm while increasing their vigilance. Authorities advised people to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activities, cover water sources and drive carefully because volcanic ash can reduce visibility. Several schools cancelled activities on Saturday, while students and residents reportedly experienced eye irritation. Fishermen also cancelled trips because of the eruption. Despite the disruption, BNPB said there was no imminent risk of a tsunami from Mount Anak Krakatau. The volcano is known for its past destructive activity, including an eruption in December 2018. The latest eruption has primarily caused aviation interruptions, ashfall and localized health and safety concerns, with authorities continuing to monitor conditions.
Entities: Mount Anak Krakatau, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry, Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB)Tone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia’s main airport suspends flights due to Anak Krakatau eruption | Aviation News | Al Jazeera

Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which serves Jakarta, suspended flight operations on September 6 after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau was detected over the capital and at the airport. The suspension was initially scheduled to last until 1:30 p.m. local time because of increased eruptive activity at the volcano, located more than 150 kilometers away. Anak Krakatau began erupting late on September 4, producing lava fountains and powerful sounds heard as far as 700 kilometers away, according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG. Two additional eruptions were recorded on September 6. BMKG reported ash at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters on the Java side of the volcano and volcanic plumes reaching 15,000 meters over the Sumatra side and parts of Banten province. An earlier airport closure had affected 33 flights, including 16 international cancellations and seven delays. Indonesia’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F Laisa, said the extension followed an aviation “paper test” confirming volcanic ash at the airport. He emphasized that passenger safety was the priority and that authorities would continue coordinating with airlines, air navigation services and the meteorological agency. Singapore Airlines was among the carriers affected, cancelling two flights to and from Jakarta and delaying two others. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said there was no immediate tsunami threat from the eruption. Anak Krakatau formed in the 1920s inside the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption. It has erupted periodically since then. A 2018 eruption caused part of its crater to collapse and generated a tsunami that killed more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra. The latest aviation disruption reflects the serious risks volcanic ash poses to aircraft, including potential jet-engine damage and reduced visibility.
Entities: Mount Anak Krakatau, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia, Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG)Tone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Anak Krakatau: Volcano eruption closes eight Indonesian airports - BBC News

An eruption of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia has disrupted air travel and left about 170,000 passengers stranded. Authorities temporarily suspended operations at eight airports after volcanic ash entered airspace near Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which was the first facility to close on Sunday morning. The transport ministry reported that 1,558 flights had been delayed and said the airports would remain closed until 09:00 local time on Monday. The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began erupting late Friday. It produced continuous seismic activity, lava fountains and booming sounds, followed by two further eruptions early Sunday. The disruption has particularly affected flights to and from Singapore, as well as international routes involving Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said additional closures were ordered after tests showed ash moving towards West Java. He called on airlines to process refunds quickly and provide timely information to prevent overcrowding at airports. Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG, said ash reached altitudes of up to 20,000ft over Java and 50,000ft over the western side of the volcano towards Sumatra. Health officials advised residents in affected areas to stay indoors and wear masks because volcanic ash can cause respiratory, eye and skin irritation. Some schools cancelled activities, while fishermen suspended trips after people reported sore eyes. Residents described thick ash accumulating rapidly around their homes. Authorities said there was no tsunami warning associated with the latest activity. Anak Krakatau emerged in the caldera left by the 1883 Krakatoa eruption and has remained intermittently active. Its collapse in December 2018 triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured or displaced thousands. The article also places the volcano within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region containing most of the world’s active volcanoes and earthquakes.
Entities: Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Sunda StraitTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano erupts, cancelling flights at Jakarta airport and others | CBC News

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted twice early Sunday in the Sunda Strait, disrupting air travel across western Indonesia. The first eruption lasted about 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. local time, followed by a second eruption lasting 16 seconds roughly three hours later. The volcano had shown increased activity since Friday. Volcanic ash spread over parts of Jakarta and Lampung province on Sumatra. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, along with six other airports, including Radin Inten II in Lampung. Services were also disrupted at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and airports in Medan. By Sunday evening, 170,000 passengers had been affected by 1,558 cancelled flights, including 963 cancellations at Soekarno-Hatta. The airports were ordered to remain closed until Monday morning, although officials warned that further cascading disruptions could affect aircraft rotations, fleet availability and terminal capacity. No casualties or evacuation orders were reported. Authorities advised residents and visitors to stay at least three kilometres from the active crater, while the nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometres away. Satellite imagery identified two ash clouds, one rising to 6,100 metres and another reaching 15,200 metres and spreading over several provinces and nearby waters. Indonesia’s Geological Agency said the eruption was Anak Krakatau’s strongest since activity intensified in July. Officials said repeated eruptions indicate continuing magma and volcanic-gas movement but cannot predict whether a larger eruption will follow. The main hazards are ash, concentrated volcanic gases and hot rocks or other material near the crater. Anak Krakatau formed from the historic Krakatau volcano, whose 1883 eruption caused global cooling. An Anak Krakatau eruption in 2018 triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people in Sumatra and Java after an underwater landslide caused part of the volcano’s slope to collapse.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Krakatau volcano, Indonesia, Sunda Strait, JakartaTone: analyticalSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia volcano eruption cancels hundreds of flights in major airport hub - CBS News

An eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano on Sunday caused widespread flight disruptions, forcing the closure of airspace around Jakarta’s main airports and several other airports in western Indonesia. Volcanic ash spread across Jakarta and Lampung province on Sumatra, creating a hazard for aircraft operations. By mid-afternoon local time, the closures had affected 516 flight movements, including 202 at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and approximately 22,800 passengers. Indonesia’s Geological Agency said Anak Krakatau had shown increased activity since Friday before erupting for about 30 seconds in the early hours of Sunday. Footage from a fishing boat showed lava erupting from the volcanic island, which is located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports in Jakarta, as well as four other airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung. Authorities reported no casualties and issued no evacuation orders because the nearest settlement is more than 10 miles from the volcano. However, they warned people to remain at least two miles away from the crater. Indonesia’s director general of civil aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, said safety was the priority and warned that the cancellations could create cascading disruptions involving aircraft rotations, fleet availability and airport terminal capacity. The eruption also revived memories of Anak Krakatau’s dangerous history. The volcano’s name means “child of Krakatau,” whose catastrophic 1883 eruption contributed to global cooling. In 2018, activity at Anak Krakatau triggered an underwater landslide and tsunami that killed at least 430 people on Java and Sumatra. The island lost roughly three-quarters of its size after that event.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia, Sunda Strait, Java, SumatraTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia: Flights canceled as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early Sunday, producing lava fountains, loud explosive sounds and large ash plumes. The eruption occurred more than 150 kilometers from Jakarta, but ash reached parts of the capital, Lampung province on Sumatra, Banten province and areas of Java. Indonesia’s geological agency said sounds from the eruption were heard as far as 700 kilometers away. Ash was detected at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters on the Java side and as high as 15,000 meters over Sumatra and parts of Banten. The eruption disrupted air travel across the region. Authorities suspended operations at six airports, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung. Soekarno-Hatta temporarily halted flights from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. because of volcanic ash, while Bandung airport was later closed after showing signs of being affected. Indonesia’s transport ministry said the disruptions affected more than 22,000 passengers and 209 flights, especially services to and from Singapore. No deaths or injuries were reported, and authorities did not order evacuations. However, officials warned residents and visitors to remain at least three kilometers from the volcano’s active crater. The closest township is more than 16 kilometers away. Two additional eruptions were recorded on Sunday, indicating that volcanic activity was continuing. Anak Krakatau is located between Java and Sumatra in Indonesia’s Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Its name means “Child of Krakatau,” as it formed from the remnants of the Krakatau volcano, whose massive 1883 eruption caused global cooling.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Krakatau volcano, Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Husein Sastranegara AirportTone: urgentSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Flights suspended at Indonesia's main airport due to volcanic eruption | Euronews

Indonesia’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport suspended flight operations on Sunday after Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The volcano began erupting on Saturday, generating a lava fountain as well as booming sounds and tremors reported by residents in several parts of Indonesia, according to the country’s geology agency. Airport operations were halted at 1:30 a.m. local time after volcanic ash was detected in the airspace around the airport. Indonesia’s transport ministry said testing confirmed that ash had spread into the Soekarno–Hatta area, leading authorities to extend the closure until 9:30 a.m. local time, or 2:30 a.m. GMT. The article does not state when normal operations resumed. More than 22,000 passengers were affected, while 209 flights were disrupted. The impact was particularly significant on routes to and from Singapore, although flights serving Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur were also affected. Local airport authorities additionally reported the cancellation of at least 16 domestic flights to Bali. The eruption and resulting ash cloud created a major disruption at Indonesia’s principal international airport, raising safety concerns for aircraft operating in the surrounding airspace. The report identifies Anak Krakatoa as an active volcano and notes its location in the Sunda Strait, a strategically important waterway between Java and Sumatra. Euronews presented the report as a developing story and said further details would follow.
Entities: Mount Anak Krakatoa, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s geology agency, Indonesia’s transport ministry, Sunda StraitTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia's Anak Krakatau eruption halts flights, schools, fishing - France 24

France 24 reports that an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia disrupted transportation and daily activities on Sunday, 6 September 2026. Six airports suspended flight operations, affecting hundreds of flights at Jakarta’s main airport. The disruption appears to have been linked to the volcanic eruption and its effects on air travel in the surrounding region. The report also states that some school activities were halted and fishing was suspended, indicating that the eruption affected both public services and local livelihoods in addition to aviation. The available article does not provide further details about the eruption’s size, duration, ash emissions, injuries, deaths, evacuations, or damage to property. It also does not identify the six airports or specify how long the flight suspensions and other restrictions were expected to last. The story is presented as a short video news report rather than a detailed account of the volcanic activity or the authorities’ emergency response. Its focus is on the immediate consequences of the eruption: airport closures, flight disruptions at Jakarta’s main airport, interruptions to schooling, and the cessation of fishing. The headline summarizes these effects by highlighting the impact on flights, schools, and fishing. Overall, the report conveys a concise, factual account of a volcanic event that caused significant disruption across transportation, education, and fishing activities in Indonesia.
Entities: Mount Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, France 24, Jakarta, Six airportsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupts, strands thousands as flights cancelled - National | Globalnews.ca

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early Sunday in the Sunda Strait, prompting the closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and several other airports as volcanic ash spread across western Indonesia. The eruption lasted about 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m., following increased activity observed since Friday. Lava flares were captured by closed-circuit cameras, but no casualties were reported and authorities did not issue an evacuation order. The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometres from the volcano, although officials warned residents and visitors to remain at least three kilometres from the active crater. Ash was detected over Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Lampung and other areas. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports, along with six other airports, including Radin Inten II in Lampung. Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and airports in Medan also experienced disruptions. By Sunday evening, the closure at Soekarno-Hatta alone had affected 467 flight movements and approximately 150,000 passengers. The airport was expected to remain closed until at least 9:30 p.m., while aviation authorities warned that delays could continue as airlines dealt with aircraft rotations, fleet availability and terminal capacity. Satellite imagery identified two ash clouds. One rose to 20,000 feet and moved northeast over Jakarta and surrounding regions, while another reached 50,000 feet and spread across parts of southern Sumatra, the Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean. Geological Agency chief Lana Saria said Anak Krakatau’s activity has intensified since July and that Sunday’s eruption was the strongest in the current period of unrest. Officials said the volcano remains active, with hazards including ash, volcanic gases and hot rocks, but they could not predict whether a larger eruption would occur. Anak Krakatau is the successor to Krakatau, whose 1883 eruption caused global cooling and whose later activity contributed to a deadly 2018 tsunami.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia, Sunda Strait, Java, SumatraTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupts, canceling flights at Jakarta airport and others

Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted twice early Sunday, September 6, 2026, sending volcanic ash across parts of Jakarta, Banten, Lampung and nearby regions and disrupting air travel. The first eruption lasted 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m., followed by a 16-second eruption about three hours later. Closed-circuit footage showed lava flares, while satellite imagery detected two ash plumes. One rose to 20,000 feet and drifted northeast toward Jakarta; another reached 50,000 feet and spread across areas of southern Sumatra, the Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean. AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports and six other airports, including Radin Inten II in Lampung. By Sunday evening, the closures had affected approximately 170,000 passengers and led to 1,558 canceled flights, including 963 at Soekarno-Hatta. Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport and an airport in Medan also experienced disruptions. Officials warned that schedules could face further cascading effects as airlines work to restore aircraft rotations and terminal operations. No casualties were reported, and authorities did not order evacuations because the nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers from the volcano. Residents and visitors were nevertheless told to remain at least 3 kilometers from the active crater. Indonesia’s Geological Agency said activity had intensified since July and that the eruption was the strongest during that period, although officials could not predict whether a larger eruption would follow. The main hazards include ash, volcanic gases and hot rocks near the crater. The government also allowed schools in ash-affected areas to shift temporarily to online learning. The article notes that Anak Krakatau’s 2018 eruption triggered a tsunami that killed at least 430 people, while the volcano’s original island was substantially reduced by the resulting underwater landslide.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Sunda StraitTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Volcanic eruption halts flights at Jakarta and seven other Indonesian airports | Air transport | The Guardian

An eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano disrupted air travel across the country on Sunday, forcing the closure of eight airports, including Soekarno-Hatta international airport near Jakarta. The eruption began on Saturday and sent volcanic ash to altitudes of up to 15,000 metres (50,000ft), with ash spreading across airspace on both the Java and Sumatra sides of the volcano. Two additional eruptions were recorded on Sunday. More than 22,000 passengers and 209 flights were affected, according to Indonesia’s transport ministry. The disruption included international services to and from Singapore, Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, as well as at least 16 domestic flights to Bali. Singapore Airlines cancelled all Jakarta flights for the remainder of Sunday, while Qantas reported cancellations and other service disruptions. Authorities repeatedly extended the closure of Soekarno-Hatta, ultimately suspending flights until 9.30pm local time. The ash cloud posed a serious aviation hazard because volcanic ash can damage jet engines, turbine blades, fuel and air systems, and pilots’ windscreens. Beyond aviation, the eruption interrupted school activities after students and residents experienced eye irritation, while fishing trips were cancelled. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency planned weather modification operations, potentially including cloud-seeding, in the hope that heavy rain would wash the ash away. Ships transiting the Sunda Strait were prohibited from approaching within two miles of the volcano and were advised to remain vigilant. Anak Krakatau, meaning “child of Krakatau”, emerged from the caldera created by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau, which killed about 35,000 people. The article presents the eruption as an ongoing public-safety and transport emergency, while noting that airlines would resume services when conditions permitted.
Entities: Anak Krakatau volcano, Soekarno-Hatta international airport, Jakarta, Indonesia, JavaTone: urgentSentiment: negativeIntent: inform