Flight suddenly cancelled? Here are 7 things you should do
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted flight operations across several parts of Indonesia. Volcanic ash dispersal forced a number of airports to close temporarily in the interest of aviation safety.
On Sunday (6/9), the Ministry of Transport said eight airports were affected by the temporary closures: Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Radin Inten II in Lampung, Husein Sastranegara in Bandung, Budiarto in Curug, Tangerang, Pondok Cabe in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas in West Pesisir, Lampung, and Atung Bungsu in Pagar Alam. The closures were later extended until Monday (7/9) at 09.00 Western Indonesian Time owing to the dynamic spread of volcanic ash and wind direction.
The impact has been considerable. The Ministry of Transport recorded that as many as 1,558 flights were affected by the closure of the eight airports. Flights from other regions were also cancelled because air routes to Jakarta and the affected areas were not yet safe to use.
At El Tari Airport in Kupang, for instance, eight flights on the Kupang-Jakarta route and vice versa were cancelled on Monday morning. Airlines affected included Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Batik Air and Super Airjet. Passengers were given the option of rescheduling or receiving a ticket refund in accordance with airline policies.
The situation serves as a reminder that flight cancellations can happen at any time, particularly when weather conditions, volcanic activity, technical problems or other safety concerns prevent an aircraft from operating.
So what should you do if your flight is suddenly cancelled?
- Do not panic straight away
The first thing to do is to stay calm and seek official information. A flight cancellation can certainly disrupt travel plans, but airlines will usually offer handling options for affected passengers.
Do not rely solely on information from social media or chain messages. Check your flight status through the airline’s app, official website, customer service or airport staff.
It is important to know the cause of the cancellation, as the form of assistance may differ. A cancellation due to safety factors such as extreme weather or volcanic ash is of course different from one caused by the airline’s operational reasons.
In the case of the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, for example, airports were closed because volcanic ash can endanger flight safety. The government stressed that airports would only reopen once conditions were deemed safe.
- Ask about rescheduling or refund options
Once you have confirmation that your flight has indeed been cancelled, immediately ask the airline about the options available.
Generally, passengers may be offered a change of flight schedule or a refund in accordance with applicable rules. Minister of Transport Dudy Purwagandhi also asked airlines to fulfil the rights of passengers affected by the airport closures through refund and rescheduling services.
If your travel schedule can still be changed, rescheduling can be a practical option. However, if the trip is no longer necessary, you can ask about the ticket refund mechanism.
- Do not rush to buy a new ticket
When a flight is cancelled, it is natural to want to find a replacement ticket straight away. However, it is best not to buy a new ticket before knowing the options offered by the airline.
The airline may provide a replacement flight or transfer your flight to an alternative airport. During the closures caused by the Anak Krakatau eruption, the Ministry of Transport prepared several alternative airports, including Kertajati, Juanda, Yogyakarta International Airport, as well as airports in Semarang and Solo. Passengers whose flights were diverted could also obtain alternative transport by road.
Keep your ticket, boarding pass if you have already checked in, proof of cancellation, and records of communication with the airline. These documents can be useful when claiming a refund, rescheduling or other services from the airline.
If you bought your ticket through a travel agent or booking platform, also check the cancellation procedures through that platform.
- Ask about accommodation and other needs while waiting
If the cancellation leaves you waiting at the airport for a long time or even staying overnight, ask the airline about the forms of assistance provided to affected passengers.
Do not assume all airlines have the same policies. Make sure you first establish what facilities are available and the procedures for obtaining them.
- Monitor the latest information before returning to the airport
The reopening of airports closed due to particular conditions can change according to the situation on the ground. Therefore, do not rely solely on the original schedule.
In the case of the Anak Krakatau eruption, the Ministry of Transport continued to monitor the spread of volcanic ash and carried out periodic testing of airport conditions. The government also stressed that safety remains the priority before flight operations resume.
Therefore, before heading to the airport, make sure you re-check your flight status through the airline’s official channels. This can spare you a wasted journey to the airport when your flight is still delayed or cancelled, as summarised from various sources.