Krakatau ash hit 764 flights at Jakarta; six airports closed, then reopened
Indonesia’s aviation regulator has ordered airlines to rebook or refund passengers after volcanic ash closed six airports. Soekarno-Hatta reopened on Sunday evening with disruption continuing.
The scale, now that it has been counted
The Indonesian state news agency ANTARA reported on Sunday evening that 764 flight movements at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were affected by ash from Anak Krakatau — 570 domestic passenger flights, 185 international passenger flights and nine cargo flights, described as an accumulation of cancellations, delays and diversions to alternate airports. That is a considerably larger figure than the 301 reported when the eruption began.
Yudistiawan, Assistant Deputy for Communication and Legal Affairs at Soekarno-Hatta, said the closure was "implemented as a precautionary measure to guarantee aviation safety, as volcanic ash poses severe technical risks to aircraft engines". The airport activated its Service Recovery Action protocol and opened a command post with airlines and ground handlers, providing food and drink, shuttle buses to hotels, rest areas and 24-hour retail and food service.
Six airports, and a rebooking order
The Transportation Ministry’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, named six affected airports: Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Radin Inten II at Lampung, Budiarto at Curug, Pondok Cabe, and Husein Sastranegara at Bandung. He instructed airlines to give passengers timely status updates and rebooking or refund options in accordance with applicable consumer-protection regulations.
The UK Foreign Office recorded on 6 September that Soekarno-Hatta and Halim "have reopened, but there are continued flight disruptions and many flights are cancelled or delayed". The Canadian government advisory, updated the same day, names the same Jakarta airports plus Lampung and advises travellers to confirm the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
What travellers should do
Most Indian travellers reach Bali without touching Jakarta, and Bali’s own airport has stayed open throughout. If your itinerary includes a Java leg or a domestic connection through Jakarta, the practical steps are the same as they were on Friday: confirm with the airline before leaving for the airport, and know that you are entitled to a rebooking or a refund rather than a voucher.
Ash disruption does not end when an airport reopens — aircraft and crews are out of position for a day or more afterwards, and the wind can bring the plume back. Treat any Java connection this week as fragile and leave a long buffer before an onward international flight.
Sources
This report is based on the following published sources. Rules and schedules change — confirm with the issuing authority before you travel.
- Mount Anak Krakatau eruption impacts 764 flights at Soekarno-Hatta — ANTARA News, 06 September 2026
- Govt urges airlines to fulfill passenger rights amid eruption closures — ANTARA News, 06 September 2026
- Indonesia travel advice — warnings and insurance — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, 06 September 2026
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