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An eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano has thrown regional air travel into disarray, triggering widespread flight cancellations at Jakarta’s main airport and disrupting Qantas services linking Indonesia and Australia.
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Volcanic ash cloud shuts key Indonesian airports
The latest eruptive phase at Mount Anak Krakatau, a volcanic island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, intensified over the weekend, sending ash high into the atmosphere and across western Indonesia. Publicly available satellite imagery and monitoring data indicate ash plumes reaching cruising altitudes used by commercial jets.
Indonesia’s Transport Ministry has reported that operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the main gateway to Jakarta, were temporarily halted after ash was detected in the airport’s airspace. Notices to Air Missions show that closures and operational restrictions have been repeatedly extended as the ash cloud shifts over the capital and surrounding regions.
Reports compiled by international and regional outlets indicate that at least eight airports across Indonesia have experienced partial or full shutdowns since 5 September 2026, with more than a thousand flights cancelled or delayed. Passenger disruption figures vary by source, but the cumulative total has climbed into the hundreds of thousands as the eruption continues to affect busy domestic and international routes.
While volcanic activity showed some signs of easing on Monday, Indonesian aviation authorities are maintaining a cautious stance, citing the unpredictable behavior of ash plumes and the need to safeguard aircraft engines and navigation systems.
Qantas cancels Jakarta services and offers flexible options
The ash cloud has had a direct impact on Qantas operations to and from Jakarta. The airline’s travel update page for 7 September confirms that services QF39 and QF40 between Sydney and Jakarta, and QF41 and QF42 between Melbourne and Jakarta, have been affected by the Anak Krakatau eruption.
According to published coverage and the airline’s own advisory, a series of cancellations and schedule changes began on Sunday and have continued into Monday as conditions around Jakarta’s airspace remained unsuitable for safe operations. Flight-status tools for Qantas show repeated cancellations on the affected routes as the situation evolves.
Qantas has introduced a flexible travel policy for customers holding tickets to or from Jakarta. Travellers who booked eligible Jakarta flights on or before 5 September for travel between 5 and 11 September are being offered fee-free date changes, travel credits or refunds. Public information indicates that some passengers also have the option to reroute via Denpasar within a limited window, subject to seat availability.
Qantas has publicly stated that services will resume when conditions allow, with its meteorology and operations teams monitoring the development of the ash cloud and coordinating with aviation authorities. The airline continues to advise customers to check the Qantas app or online flight status tools before heading to the airport.
Wider regional airline impact and stranded travellers
The disruption extends far beyond Australian carriers. Coverage from Indonesian and international media indicates that Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and carriers in the Lion Air Group have also cancelled or diverted services connecting Jakarta with major hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Doha, Seoul and Amsterdam.
Transport officials cited in regional reports note that more than 200 flights at Soekarno-Hatta alone were affected during the initial closure period, with later tallies across all eight impacted airports reaching well over 1,500 disrupted flight movements. Some reports put the number of stranded passengers at more than 170,000, while others cite figures exceeding 270,000 as delays and knock-on effects accumulate across the network.
For travellers, the operational complexity is significant. Aircraft and crew rotations have been thrown off schedule, and airlines are having to reposition planes and staff once airspace reopens. Aviation authorities have highlighted the potential cascading impacts on fleet availability and terminal capacity even after restrictions are lifted, meaning travellers may face rolling delays and rebookings as airlines work through backlogs.
Hotel stays, missed connections and extended airport waits have been widely reported, particularly in Jakarta, where passengers have described crowded terminals and busy customer service desks as they seek alternative routes.
Safety considerations and what passengers should do
Volcanic ash poses serious risks to jet aircraft, including engine damage, reduced visibility and interference with on-board instruments. As a result, airlines and regulators typically adopt a conservative approach, suspending or rerouting flights when ash is present at cruising altitudes or near departure and arrival paths.
According to publicly available aviation guidance, airlines rely on specialized volcanic ash advisory centers, satellite data and pilot reports to map ash clouds and adjust flight paths. Even when eruptions begin to subside, ash can linger or drift unexpectedly with changing winds, which explains why airports may stay closed or operate on a reduced schedule after the most dramatic eruptive episodes appear to have passed.
For travellers bound for Indonesia or transiting through Jakarta in the coming days, published advice from airlines and industry bodies stresses the importance of monitoring flight status closely and waiting for confirmation before heading to the airport. Passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed are generally being encouraged to contact their airline or travel agent directly to discuss rebooking or refund options.
Travel insurance industry representatives quoted in Australian media also note that coverage for volcanic events varies by policy. Travellers are advised to check product disclosure statements and speak with their insurer to understand what costs, such as accommodation or alternative transport, may be claimable.
Outlook for travel to Indonesia after Anak Krakatau’s latest activity
While the eruption has disrupted aviation, there have been no widespread reports of direct impacts on major tourist destinations such as Bali. Airlines and tourism boards continue to emphasise that conditions in unaffected regions remain stable, though travellers may still experience indirect effects if their itineraries rely on connections through Jakarta.
Geological agencies monitoring Anak Krakatau have warned that further eruptions are possible and that activity can fluctuate. Historical records show that the volcano has produced repeated eruptive phases over the decades, including a significant 2018 event associated with a deadly tsunami. This history underlines why aviation authorities are likely to maintain a prudent approach over the coming days.
For now, the timing of a full return to normal operations at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport remains uncertain. Transport officials quoted in recent briefings describe the situation as highly dynamic, with the duration of closures dependent on both volcanic behavior and prevailing winds.
Travellers planning near-term trips to Jakarta or transits through the Indonesian capital are likely to face ongoing adjustments. Monitoring airline travel updates, registering for flight alerts and remaining flexible with dates and routings will be key to navigating the continuing fallout from Anak Krakatau’s latest eruption.
Qantas Travel Updates: Jakarta & Volcano Krakatau
ABC News: Flights cancelled as volcanic ash closes Jakarta airport
Al Jazeera: Thousands stranded as Anak Krakatau eruption shutters airports
AP News: Volcanic island in Indonesia erupts, canceling flights