Emirates cancels Jakarta flight as Etihad delays after ash closure

Emirates has cancelled one Dubai–Jakarta flight and delayed several others, while Etihad Airways has postponed services between Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian capital after volcanic ash forced the temporary closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupts Jakarta operations

Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport suspended operations on Sunday 6 September after volcanic ash from the erupting Mount Anak Krakatau was detected in the surrounding airspace, triggering widespread disruption across Indonesia’s aviation network. Notices to airmen indicated that the airport, which lies more than 150 kilometres from the volcano, halted flights as paper tests and meteorological assessments showed ash contamination over key flight paths.

Reports from Indonesian authorities and regional media describe hundreds of flight movements affected as ash drifted over the capital region. The temporary shutdown at Soekarno-Hatta, Indonesia’s main international gateway, left thousands of passengers facing cancellations, rolling delays and diversions as airlines reassessed whether it was safe to operate.

The eruption of Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, sent plumes of ash high into the atmosphere late Saturday and into Sunday. Aviation advisories indicated that ash clouds had spread across western parts of Java and southern Sumatra, prompting a series of airport suspensions as safety precautions.

Emirates cancels EK356 and adjusts Dubai–Jakarta schedule

Publicly available advisories show that Emirates has cancelled at least one Dubai–Jakarta service and delayed others as a direct result of the Jakarta airport closure. Coverage in regional outlets indicates that EK356 from Dubai to Jakarta on Sunday 6 September was listed as cancelled, while other services on the route on 5 and 6 September were operating subject to significant delays.

Information compiled from airline updates notes that Emirates flights EK359 from Jakarta to Dubai on 5 September and EK358 from Dubai to Jakarta on 6 September were among those delayed after ash-related restrictions came into force. The disruptions followed the decision to suspend operations at Soekarno-Hatta after ash was detected above safe thresholds for jet engines.

Advisories reproduced in local media stress that Emirates is closely monitoring conditions and adjusting schedules in line with evolving airport notices. Travellers on the Dubai–Jakarta route have been urged to review the latest flight status and to keep their contact details updated through the carrier’s digital channels so that any rebooking or timing changes can be communicated quickly.

Etihad delays Abu Dhabi–Jakarta services

Etihad Airways has also adjusted its operations between Abu Dhabi and Jakarta as ash from Anak Krakatau continues to affect Indonesian airspace. Travel industry coverage shows that flight EY472 from Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to Jakarta on Sunday 6 September was delayed because of the closure at Soekarno-Hatta, while the return service EY475 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi was likewise expected to depart later than scheduled.

These changes follow earlier operational adjustments on the Abu Dhabi–Jakarta route linked to the volcanic eruption. According to published flight tracking summaries, Etihad’s schedules have been replanned to reflect the temporary suspension of arrivals and departures in Jakarta and the time needed to clear a growing backlog of passengers once the airport reopens.

Etihad’s network planning approach, as reflected in open-source data, prioritises resumption of core long-haul links once airspace restrictions ease. However, the carrier is cautioning that further delays or rolling retimings are possible if ash continues to affect airspace around the Indonesian capital or if additional safety checks are required.

Hundreds of flights and tens of thousands of passengers affected

The impact of Anak Krakatau’s latest eruption reaches far beyond Middle East–Southeast Asia routes. Figures reported by Indonesian aviation and transport agencies suggest that more than 200 flights were initially disrupted during the first airport closure window, with subsequent updates indicating that the number of affected movements at Soekarno-Hatta alone later climbed into the hundreds as the day progressed.

National and local media reports cite estimates of tens of thousands of passengers experiencing cancellations, long delays or diversions to alternative airports, including services operating within Indonesia and on routes to major regional hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Doha. Several domestic and international carriers have temporarily rerouted or rescheduled operations while monitoring ash dispersion maps and guidance from meteorological agencies.

Industry data show that Jakarta’s main airport routinely handles hundreds of movements per day, so even a closure lasting several hours can produce significant knock-on effects. Each additional extension of operating restrictions compounds congestion as aircraft, crew and passengers are repositioned, leaving airlines with limited slack to rebuild schedules quickly.

Safety protocols drive ash-related closures

Volcanic ash presents a recognised hazard for commercial aviation, with fine particles capable of damaging engines, sensors and cockpit windows, as well as reducing visibility. International guidance encourages air navigation providers and airport operators to suspend operations whenever ash concentrations in critical airspace exceed safe levels, even when the volcano is located far from the airport itself.

According to open information from Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and the national meteorological agency, decisions to close Soekarno-Hatta and several other airports on Sunday followed structured assessments that included ash dispersion modelling and on-the-ground testing. When field checks indicated volcanic residue over runways and approach paths, airports issued formal closure notices and extended them as further tests confirmed continuing ash presence.

The current disruption around Jakarta is part of a wider pattern of airport suspensions in western Indonesia since Anak Krakatau’s activity increased in recent days. Data released by Indonesian airport operators show multiple facilities in the affected region enacting temporary shutdowns or capacity reductions, highlighting how a single eruption can ripple rapidly through domestic and international air networks.

What travellers on affected routes should know

For passengers booked on Emirates and Etihad flights to or from Jakarta, publicly available guidance emphasises the importance of checking flight status before leaving for the airport. Both airlines are using online booking management tools and mobile notifications to share updates on cancellations, delays and potential rebooking options as operating conditions shift.

Travel-industry coverage advises that passengers with flexible tickets may be able to adjust travel dates without additional charges when disruptions are directly linked to weather or natural events such as volcanic eruptions. However, specific options vary by airline and fare type, and travellers are encouraged to consult official channels for the most accurate and current information.

With ash-related closures sometimes extended at short notice, observers note that further adjustments on the Dubai–Jakarta and Abu Dhabi–Jakarta routes cannot be ruled out if volcanic activity continues or if meteorological agencies detect new ash clouds along key flight corridors. For now, the priority across Indonesia’s aviation system remains restoring safe operations as conditions allow, while gradually clearing the backlog of stranded passengers at Jakarta and other affected airports.

Gulf News: Emirates cancels Jakarta flight, Etihad delays services

Khaleej Times: Emirates cancels, delays Dubai–Jakarta flights over volcanic ash

Bernama: Anak Krakatau eruption temporarily closes Soekarno-Hatta Airport

Al Jazeera: Anak Krakatau eruption halts flights at Indonesia’s main airport

Antara: Indonesia suspends six airports amid Anak Krakatau ash