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Jakarta Airport Reopens After Anak Krakatau Ash Closes 8

9/9/2026

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Summary

Purwagandhi Closes Airports

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered the closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport because of ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
Eight airports across Java and Sumatra shut, cancelling over 2,300 flights and affecting about 270,000 passengers.
Ash plumes rose to 6,000 m on Java’s side and 15,000 m on Sumatra’s side.
All eight airports reopened on Tuesday, Sept 8, after ash cleared and 178 planes were inspected.

Summary

Anak Krakatau Erupts

Anak Krakatau erupted for 25 hours, producing 93 low-frequency and 98 hybrid earthquakes, indicating magma movement.
Volcanologist Surono said the frequent eruptions represent natural growth of the young volcano.
Health officials warned ash irritates eyes, skin and lungs, prompting school closures on September 5.
The 2018 collapse reduced Anak Krakatau’s height from 338 m to 110 m, leaving it a quarter of its original size.

History

Historical Context

In April 2010 the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull sent ash to 9 km, leading the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to cancel about 100,000 flights and affect ten million passengers. Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau later produced a 6 km plume, closing Soekarno-Hatta Airport and grounding 2,300 flights with 270,000 travelers. Both events spurred stronger volcanic-ash monitoring and contingency planning in aviation.

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Purwagandhi Closes Airports

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi ordered the closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport because of ash from Mount Anak Krakatau.
Eight airports across Java and Sumatra shut, cancelling over 2,300 flights and affecting about 270,000 passengers.
Ash plumes rose to 6,000 m on Java’s side and 15,000 m on Sumatra’s side.
All eight airports reopened on Tuesday, Sept 8, after ash cleared and 178 planes were inspected.

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