Indonesia's Main Airport Closes Due to Volcanic Eruption

Sep 6, 2026

70 min

Sep 6, 2026 09:31

Indonesia's main airport suspends operations after volcanic eruption

## Airport Closure

Indonesia's primary international airport near Jakarta was forced to halt operations on Sunday following an eruption from the Anak Krakatoa volcano. The volcanic ash cloud, originating over 150 kilometers away, affected thousands of passengers.

## Eruption Details

The eruption began on Saturday, with lava and loud sounds reported. Two additional eruptions were recorded on Sunday, prompting authorities to suspend airport operations multiple times, with the final suspension lasting until 5:30 pm.

## Impact on Flights

The closure affected six airports, including those in Bandung and near Bandar Lampung. Alternative landing sites were prepared in cities like Semarang and Surabaya. Over 22,000 passengers and 209 flights, including routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur, were impacted.

## Passenger Reactions

Travelers faced challenges finding alternative flights. Many expressed disappointment but understood the situation was due to a natural disaster. Some passengers, like business travelers, had to extend their stays due to cancellations.

## Safety Warnings

Authorities issued warnings for ships in the strait near Anak Krakatoa, advising increased vigilance. The volcano, active since the early 20th century, poses risks within a three-kilometer exclusion zone. While recent eruptions are not expected to cause a tsunami, past events, such as the 2018 tsunami, highlight the potential dangers.

## Geological Context

Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high volcanic and seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements.

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