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Australian travellers heading to Indonesia and beyond are being urged to prepare for significant disruption after the eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano forced the closure of eight airports and left around 170,000 passengers stranded across the region.
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Major airport closures ripple across Indonesia
Air travel across western Indonesia has been severely disrupted since Anak Krakatau began erupting late last week, throwing ash high into the atmosphere and across busy flight corridors linking Jakarta with the rest of Asia and Australia.
Publicly available information shows that Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country’s largest and busiest, temporarily halted all flights as ash drifted into its airspace. Multiple regional hubs, including in Sumatra and Java, also suspended operations, bringing the total number of affected airports to eight over the weekend.
Indonesia’s transport ministry data cited in regional media indicates that more than 1,500 flights have been cancelled or delayed since Friday, with roughly 170,000 travellers unable to reach their destinations. At Soekarno-Hatta alone, hundreds of departures and arrivals were disrupted, resulting in long queues, crowded terminals and passengers seeking last-minute accommodation.
The disruption is expected to continue while aviation authorities and airlines monitor ash plumes around Jakarta and other affected cities. Several airports have extended their closures into Monday evening, with further timetable changes likely as conditions evolve.
Australian routes among those hardest hit
The fallout from Anak Krakatau’s eruption is being felt strongly on key routes used by Australian travellers, particularly services linking Sydney and Melbourne with Jakarta and onward connections to popular holiday destinations across Southeast Asia.
Coverage in Australian travel industry media indicates that at least four Qantas flights operating between Australia and Jakarta were cancelled as a precaution when ash encroached on Jakarta’s airspace. Other international services connecting Indonesia with Singapore, Doha and Kuala Lumpur were also affected, placing additional strain on alternative hubs as airlines attempted to reroute passengers.
Reports from Indonesian and Australian outlets note that flights to and from Singapore have faced some of the biggest impacts, as carriers pause services through Jakarta and other affected airports. This, in turn, has disrupted itineraries for Australians transiting through Indonesia en route to other parts of Asia or Europe.
Airlines have begun assessing when limited services can safely resume, but aviation experts caution that schedules may be revised repeatedly in coming days depending on the volcano’s behaviour and the movement of ash clouds at cruising altitude.
Travel advisories and warnings for Australians
Australia’s official travel advice for Indonesia has been refreshed in light of the eruption, with Smartraveller urging people to closely monitor local conditions and be prepared for sudden changes to transport plans. The advisory highlights that airports in affected areas may close at short notice if ash drifts into flight paths or visibility deteriorates.
Guidance on volcanic eruptions published by Smartraveller stresses that ash clouds can travel hundreds of kilometres and may disrupt flights for an extended period, even after visible activity from a volcano subsides. Travellers are advised to check both their airline’s updates and the latest travel advice for Indonesia before heading to the airport.
Travel industry reports also underline that those with upcoming trips should review their booking conditions, including options for free date changes or credits. Some airlines historically have offered fare flexibility and refunds during major ash events, although current policies vary by carrier and fare type.
Australians transiting through Indonesia to other destinations are being encouraged to consider alternative routing where possible, especially if they are on tight connections or travelling for time-sensitive reasons.
What stranded passengers can do now
With tens of thousands of people still waiting for seats out of Indonesia, rebooking remains a challenge. Airlines are prioritising passengers whose flights were cancelled, but limited aircraft availability and ongoing uncertainty around ash movements mean that spare seats are scarce on many routes.
Consular and travel guidance points to several practical steps for stranded travellers: stay in close contact with airlines via apps and official websites, confirm any rebooked flight times before leaving accommodation, and keep receipts for unexpected expenses in case airlines or insurers later accept claims.
Australian government advice on natural disaster situations emphasises that travellers should not expect emergency evacuations by chartered aircraft in events such as volcanic eruptions. Instead, passengers are generally expected to work through airlines, local authorities and travel providers to secure new transport options as conditions permit.
Those with underlying health conditions are also urged to take extra care, as volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system. Simple precautions such as staying indoors when ash fall is heavy, using masks, and following local health advice can reduce potential impacts while waiting for flights to resume.
Ongoing uncertainty around Anak Krakatau activity
Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, has a long history of volatile behaviour and sits within one of the world’s most active seismic zones. Indonesia’s geological agency has reported elevated activity since Friday, with several eruptions over the weekend sending ash to significant heights.
International coverage notes that aviation authorities consider Anak Krakatau highly unpredictable, which complicates planning for airlines and air traffic managers. Even short eruptions can produce ash clouds that drift into major corridors, requiring rapid adjustments to flight paths and airport operations.
Forecasters and specialised volcanic ash advisory centres are continuing to track the plume’s movement, issuing updates that help determine whether specific air routes remain safe. These assessments influence decisions on whether airports can reopen, if flights need to be rerouted, or if further cancellations are required.
For now, Australian travellers are being encouraged to build flexibility into their plans, allow extra time for connections, and closely monitor trusted travel and aviation sources. With eight Indonesian airports already affected and Anak Krakatau’s activity still evolving, further disruption in the days ahead remains a real possibility.
ABC News: Flights cancelled leaving Australians stranded as volcanic ash closes Indonesian airports
SBS News: Passengers stranded in Indonesia, flights delayed as volcanic ash causes chaos
Travel Weekly: Anak Krakatau eruption grounds flights across Indonesia