Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts Jakarta air travel

On the early morning of September 5, 2026, Indonesia’s Geological Agency reported that Mount Anak Krakatau erupted for about 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. local time, producing a lava fountain, loud detonations heard up to 700 km away, and ash plumes that rose to 20,000 ft (6,000 m) on the Java side and 50,000 ft (15,000 m) on the Sumatra side. The ash spread across Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Lampung, Bengkulu and surrounding waters, prompting the closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts DW NewsKSL-TVThe Straits TimesThe Straits TimesABC News AustraliaAl Jazeera (website)Anak Krakatau ash halts flights at Indonesia’s Jakarta and Lampung airports; SIA services cancelled Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau erupts, spewing rocks and volcanic ash

Anak Krakatau, “Child of Krakatau,” sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Its parent volcano erupted catastrophically in 1883 and again in December 2018, when a partial collapse triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people. Since July 2 the volcano has remained on alert level III, the second-highest level in Indonesia’s scale.

The Straits TimesDW NewsKSL-TVIndonesia’s Anak Krakatau erupts, spewing rocks and volcanic ash Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts Indonesia's Mt. Anak Krakatau erupts, spews rocks, volcanic ash Al Jazeera (website)The Anak Krakatau erupts: Indonesia restricts access to the volcano

• 209 flights were affected at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, according to the transport ministry.

The Straits Times

• The disruption impacted 22,798 passengers, as reported by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation.

Anak Krakatau ash halts flights at Indonesia’s Jakarta and Lampung airports; SIA services cancelled

• Initial reports listed 16 international flights cancelled and seven delayed; later updates added further cancellations.

The Straits Times

• Ash altitude measurements: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) on the Java side and 15,000 m (50,000 ft) on the Sumatra side, per BMKG.

Indonesia cancels flights at Jakarta airport as Anak Krakatau volcano erupts

• The airport announced on Instagram that flight operations were suspended due to volcanic ash, initially until 9:30 a.m. local time and later extended.

The Straits Times

• Indonesia’s transport ministry confirmed the suspension and the number of affected flights and passengers.

The Straits Times

• BMKG posted the ash-height data and warned that the direction of ash clouds could change without warning.

The Straits Times

• BNPB spokesperson Berton Panjaitan urged the public to remain calm, wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activity, cover water sources and drive cautiously because ash can reduce visibility.

The Straits Times

• Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F Laisa emphasized safety as the top priority in operational decisions.

Al Jazeera (website)

• “Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision, including flight schedule adjustments made by airlines,” — Civil Aviation Lukman

Al Jazeera (website)

• “I’ve gotten no word at all, but I assume that it’s either delayed or cancelled,” — Singaporean Rishi

The Straits Times

Schools in Jakarta and surrounding provinces cancelled activities, and residents reported eye irritation from ash exposure. Fishermen halted trips in Lampung and Banten. BNPB reiterated that there was no imminent tsunami risk from the current eruption.

ABC News Australia

Authorities continue to monitor ash dispersion, seismic activity and the volcano’s structure. BMKG and the Geological Agency have warned that ash direction cannot be projected and advised the public to follow transport-authority guidance.

The Straits Times