Jakarta’s air travel hub has been brought to a standstill after a powerful eruption at Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano sent ash drifting across western Java and Sumatra, forcing the temporary closure of the capital’s main airports and triggering widespread flight cancellations in early September 2026.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox!

Is Jakarta Airport Closed? Anak Krakatau Eruption Update

Are Jakarta’s Airports Closed Today?

As of the morning of Monday, 7 September 2026, publicly available aviation notices and airline advisories indicate that Jakarta’s two main airports, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) and Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP), remain temporarily closed to regular flight operations due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has published updates stating that eight airports affected by ash from Anak Krakatau face an extension of earlier closures, with operating restrictions now in place through at least 09:00 local time on 7 September 2026. These measures follow a series of notices to air missions (NOTAMs) first issued on 6 September that halted traffic at Soekarno-Hatta after ash was detected in the airspace above the capital.

Coverage from regional and international news outlets notes that the initial full suspension of flights at Soekarno-Hatta on Sunday, 6 September, disrupted more than 200 movements and affected tens of thousands of passengers. Subsequent ministry statements and local reporting describe the situation as fluid, with authorities reviewing airspace conditions throughout the day on 7 September before any reopening decisions are made.

Travelers scheduled to depart from or arrive in Jakarta on 7 September are therefore being advised by airlines to treat the airports as effectively closed until they receive direct confirmation of a confirmed new departure time or rerouting option.

How Anak Krakatau’s Eruption Is Affecting Airspace

The eruption sequence at Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, intensified between 4 and 6 September 2026. Regional volcanic ash advisory centers have reported continuous ash emissions reaching typical cruising altitudes for short-haul jets and drifting west and northwest, with remnants of earlier ash clouds spreading radially from the volcano.

Meteorological and volcanology bulletins highlight that ash from the volcano has been observed across parts of Banten province, the wider Jakarta area and stretches of southern Sumatra. Indonesia’s meteorological agency (BMKG) has been issuing regular briefings on ash dispersion and has confirmed that multiple airports across western Indonesia are affected by ash contamination in surrounding airspace.

Because jet engines and aircraft systems are highly vulnerable to volcanic ash, international aviation guidelines call for precautionary diversion or cancellation of flights that might operate in contaminated airspace. In this event, ash has been dense enough at various flight levels to trigger repeated closure decisions for Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma over the course of 6 and 7 September.

Data collated by regional monitoring initiatives show Anak Krakatau at an elevated alert status with a notable ash column. While the main explosive phase eased late on 6 September, ash clouds continue to circulate in the region, contributing to the ongoing caution around reopening Jakarta’s skies.

Flight Cancellations and Airline Status on 7 September

International and regional carriers serving Jakarta have issued rolling travel advisories reflecting the continued closure of Soekarno-Hatta and disruption at other western Indonesian airports. Flight-status pages and published notices show that airlines are handling the situation on a route-by-route basis, but a common pattern is emerging: many departures and arrivals involving Jakarta are cancelled or significantly delayed on 7 September.

Singapore Airlines has listed multiple cancellations on its Singapore–Jakarta route covering late 6 September and much of 7 September 2026, noting that additional services between Singapore and Indonesia may be affected as ash conditions evolve. Passengers have been encouraged to monitor the carrier’s flight status tools and update their contact details so they can receive rebooking or refund options without needing to visit an airport in person.

Low-cost carrier Scoot has also announced a full day of cancellations on 6 September for flights between Singapore and Jakarta, and has indicated that schedules may be further adjusted in line with Jakarta airport closures and future airspace assessments. Travelers holding Scoot tickets for Jakarta have been offered rebooking flexibility or refunds if they choose not to travel.

Within Indonesia, Lion Group has circulated an advisory on 7 September stating that numerous Lion Air, Batik Air and other group flights to and from Jakarta are cancelled until at least 18:00 local time, citing the ongoing closure of both Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma. The group’s statement points customers to official digital channels for the latest flight-specific updates.

What Passengers Traveling via Jakarta Should Expect

For travelers currently in Jakarta or holding tickets that route through the city over the next 24 to 48 hours, expectations should be set for continued disruption even if reopening moves ahead later on 7 September. Once restrictions are eased, airlines will need time to reposition aircraft and crew, and to clear a significant backlog of stranded passengers.

News reports from Jakarta’s main terminals on 6 and 7 September describe crowded check-in halls and long lines at ticket counters as travelers seek refunds, hotel accommodation or alternative routes via unaffected hubs such as Singapore or Denpasar. Some passengers have reported being rebooked a day or more later than their original departure times.

Given these conditions, publicly available advice from airlines and Indonesian aviation agencies consistently recommends that passengers avoid going to the airport without a confirmed, operating flight. Instead, travelers are urged to verify their flight status through airline websites, mobile apps or customer-service channels, as same-day changes are frequently being made in response to evolving ash forecasts.

Travelers with tight connections or onward long-haul legs may wish to explore rerouting options that bypass Jakarta entirely, where possible, until airspace stability improves and normal schedules resume.

When Could Jakarta Flights Resume?

Forecasts from aviation meteorology services indicate that Anak Krakatau’s ash output has decreased from its peak, and some ash clouds are beginning to disperse. However, volcanic systems remain inherently unpredictable, and experts caution that renewed explosive activity or shifting wind patterns could continue to affect air traffic in western Indonesia for several days.

Indonesia’s transport ministry has stated that the reopening of Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma and other impacted airports will depend on real-time assessments of ash concentration in critical flight corridors. The current extension of airport closures to at least 09:00 on 7 September is described as a rolling measure, with further updates expected once new ash tests and satellite analyses are available.

Regional news outlets report that officials are aiming to restore limited operations as soon as it is considered safe, potentially starting with selected domestic routes at lower risk of encountering ash. International carriers are likely to follow these decisions closely and may phase flights back into timetables over the course of the week, subject to aircraft availability and crew scheduling constraints.

For now, travelers planning to transit Jakarta in early to mid-September 2026 should continue to monitor developments closely, stay flexible with their itineraries and keep in regular contact with their airlines or travel providers to receive the latest rebooking and refund options.

Jakarta international airport extends closure after Anak Krakatau eruption – The Jakarta Post

Anak Krakatau eruption temporarily closes Soekarno-Hatta International Airport – Bernama

BMKG press information on Anak Krakatau ash and airport closures

Singapore Airlines advisory on flights impacted by Anak Krakatau

Scoot advisory on flights affected by the eruption of Anak Krakatau