Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption: Airport Closure Affects 22,798 Passengers

Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta Airport faced a suspension of operations, impacting 209 flights and 22,798 passengers, according to Lukman F. Laisa, Director General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation. The Makassar (UPG) route experienced the most significant disruption with 16 aircraft movements affected, while Singapore (SIN) was the primary international route with 11 aircraft movements impacted.

The closure occurred between 01:30 and 09:30 WIB (Western Indonesian Time), extending the previous timeframe. This closure was triggered by visual reports of Mount Anak Krakatau's eruption, which began at 11:07 PM on Friday, September 5, 2026, and lasted until 4:40 AM WIB. The eruption involved lava fountaining, observable in the area despite some fog obscuring the view and no crater smoke detected.

As a result, 16 flights to destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha, Amsterdam, and Kuala Lumpur were cancelled, with 7 flights delayed and 5 rescheduled. Four domestic flights also faced cancellations, affecting routes to Lampung, Denpasar, and Surabaya. The volcanic ash dispersion was confirmed by paper tests conducted at the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Meteorology Station between 06:05 and 06:35 WIB, leading to the temporary closure of the airport.

Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, directed flight operators, airport management, air navigation services, the BMKG, and other relevant parties to monitor the situation closely. Public and prospective passengers were advised to stay informed through airlines and avoid traveling to the airport until further notice.

Mount Anak Krakatau's alert status remains active, with the PVMBG recommending that the public, visitors, tourists, and hikers maintain a 3-kilometer distance from the active crater.