Strong eruption at Anak Krakatau closes 8 airports, disrupts 1 558 flights in Indonesia

Strong eruption at Anak Krakatau closes 8 airports, disrupts 1 558 flights in Indonesia

Rishav Kothari

Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau prompted temporary closures at eight airports across western Indonesia on September 6, 2026. As of 17:06 WIB (10:06 UTC), the Ministry of Transportation reported 1 558 delayed flights and approximately 170 000 affected passengers, while the closures were extended through 24:00 WIB (17:00 UTC). The volcano remained at Level III (Siaga), with a 3 km (2 miles) exclusion zone around its center of activity.

The closures covered Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung.

Budiarto Airport in Curug, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas Airport in Pesisir Barat, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam were also temporarily closed.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency said continuous eruptive activity began at approximately 23:07 WIB on September 4 (16:07 UTC) and continued for several hours. The activity included lava fountains, lava flows, incandescent ejecta, and repeated booming or rumbling sounds.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued its first Significant Meteorological Information report, or SIGMET, shortly after the eruption began. By September 6, the agency had issued 18 SIGMETs related to the eruption and volcanic ash hazard.

BMKG satellite analysis at 08:00 WIB on September 6 (01:00 UTC) identified two volcanic ash clusters extending from Banten, Jakarta, and West Java to Lampung and Bengkulu.

The agency’s latest SIGMET placed eastward-moving ash at altitudes up to approximately 6.1 km (20 000 feet), affecting parts of Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and surrounding waters.

Westward-moving ash was identified at altitudes up to approximately 15 km (50 000 feet). It extended across Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, the southern Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean.

The Ministry of Transportation, citing BMKG, said winds at an altitude of approximately 5 km (15 000 feet) had shifted eastward at about 9 km/h (6 mph) after blowing westward earlier in the day.

Authorities designated Kertajati, Juanda and Yogyakarta international airports, along with air

ports in Semarang and Solo, as alternatives for airlines adjusting their operations.

The ministry said free bus and rail transportation would be provided to passengers whose flights were transferred to alternative airports. Airlines were instructed to provide passengers with information about schedule changes and available options.

Anak Krakatau remained at Level III (Siaga), a status in effect since July 2. Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) prohibited residents, visitors, tourists and climbers from entering or conducting activities within 3 km (2 miles) of the volcano’s center of activity.

The Geological Agency identified potential hazards including pyroclastic flows, lava, incandescent ejecta and heavy ashfall. Authorities continued monitoring changes in the volcano’s activity and morphology.