Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts 2,961 Flights, 341,000 Passengers Affected

The impact of the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) on aviation is widening. As of Monday afternoon, 7 September 2026, a total of 2,961 domestic and international flights have been affected by operational changes at several airports hit by volcanic ash dispersal.

Minister of Transport Dudy Purwagandhi said the thousands of affected flights comprise 2,339 domestic and 622 international flights.

“As of Monday, 7 September 2026 afternoon, some 2,961 flights have been affected by airport operational changes due to volcanic ash dispersal, including 2,339 domestic and 622 international flights,” he said, quoted on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.

The impact has also been felt by around 341,000 passengers, affected by flights that were cancelled, delayed or diverted.

Amid the high impact on aviation, the government has extended the temporary closure of seven airports affected by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.

The operational closures were in place until Monday, 7 September 2026 at 23.59 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

The seven airports are Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Banten, Radin Inten II in Lampung, Budiarto in Banten, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Pondok Cabe in Banten, Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas in Lampung, and Husein Sastranegara in West Java.

Dudy explained the decision was taken with flight safety in mind. One factor of concern is the wind direction, which remains changeable.

“Why we are taking a conservative stance is because the wind direction is very dynamic. We want to make absolutely sure that the volcanic ash moves away from the airports located around Mount Anak Krakatau,” the Transport Minister said.

The government is not immediately reopening the airports even though paper tests at several affected locations have returned negative results.

The reopening of operations still awaits results from the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), the official reference centre for volcanic ash conditions affecting aviation.

In addition, the closure gives airport operators and airlines the opportunity to carry out inspections before operations return to normal.

Airport operators need to inspect and clean airside facilities, including runways, taxiways and aprons.

Meanwhile, airlines must ensure aircraft are free from possible volcanic ash exposure before being returned to service.

“We are making sure everything runs well, and we do not want to set aside safety considerations,” the Transport Minister said.