More news on this day
The United Arab Emirates has urged its citizens in Indonesia to exercise caution and follow local guidance after ash from Anak Krakatau spread across western Java, dusting Jakarta and forcing the temporary closure of multiple airports, including the capital’s main international hub.
Get the latest news straight to your inbox!
UAE travel advisory highlights rising concern for Jakarta visitors
According to updated travel guidance from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the advisory for Indonesia was revised on September 6 to highlight volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau affecting Jakarta and surrounding areas. The notice urges UAE nationals to comply with safety instructions in Indonesia and monitor official channels for further updates, while confirming that travel remains possible but subject to disruption.
The advisory follows the spread of a high-altitude ash cloud generated by Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Publicly available information shows that the ash has drifted over parts of Banten, Lampung, West Java and the wider Jakarta region, prompting airspace restrictions and ground-level air quality concerns.
Travel industry coverage indicates that flights between the UAE and Jakarta have already been affected. Services from major Gulf carriers, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi departures, have encountered cancellations and significant delays linked to the temporary shutdown of Soekarno Hatta International Airport as ash encroached on flight paths.
For UAE citizens and other international travelers heading to Indonesia, the advisory underscores the importance of flexible itineraries, checking flight status before travel and being prepared for last-minute schedule changes while the ash situation evolves.
Anak Krakatau eruption sends ash over western Java
Indonesia’s meteorology and volcanology agencies report that Anak Krakatau has been in an elevated state of activity since late last week, with a series of eruptions producing towering ash columns. Public bulletins describe a broad plume that reached several kilometers into the atmosphere and was carried east and northeast by prevailing winds, crossing busy air routes around Java.
Press statements from Jakarta’s provincial government and national disaster management bodies note that ash began to reach parts of the capital by the weekend, coinciding with ongoing eruptions at the volcano. Satellite imagery and aviation hazard maps shared through official channels depict the ash cloud moving across the Sunda Strait and fanning out over densely populated areas.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued a series of volcanic ash advisories and aviation alerts, indicating that ash concentrations at flight levels warranted the temporary closure of nearby airports. The agency reports that monitoring of both atmospheric conditions and Anak Krakatau’s activity is continuing around the clock.
While the volcano remains on an elevated alert status, geological assessments cited in public briefings emphasize that the current scenario is being treated as a serious but manageable hazard for aviation and communities under established protocols.
Jakarta coated in light ash as residents adapt daily routines
Jakarta’s regional disaster agency and city government describe the ash exposure over the metropolitan area as light, though variable by district and wind direction. Public information released over the weekend notes that ash has mixed with existing urban pollution, producing a fine dust layer on buildings, vehicles and outdoor public spaces.
Local media coverage from the Indonesian capital highlights scenes of residents encountering dusty streets during regular activities, including car-free day events and outdoor exercise. In response, the city has encouraged the use of masks and eye protection when spending extended time outdoors and has reinforced general health guidance similar to previous air quality episodes.
Officials in Jakarta have drawn attention to simple protective steps, such as reducing strenuous activity outside during periods of visible ash, keeping windows closed when possible, and using damp cloths or mopping to remove ash from household surfaces. Municipal communications also remind residents that volcanic ash can be more abrasive than typical dust due to its mineral content.
Despite the unusual conditions, publicly available data indicates that most essential services in Jakarta continue to operate, with the primary impacts focused on aviation, outdoor events and short-term air quality.
Eight airports closed as aviation sector manages ash disruption
BMKG press releases and transport ministry statements show that eight airports across Java and Sumatra have faced temporary closures as of September 7 due to Anak Krakatau’s ash plume. These measures include Soekarno Hatta International Airport, the main gateway to Jakarta, where movement in and out of the capital has been substantially curtailed.
Volcanic ash presents a well-documented risk to jet engines, avionics and visibility, leading aviation authorities to adopt a cautious approach whenever ash is detected along flight paths. Information from Indonesia’s transport authorities indicates that notices to airmen (NOTAMs) were issued to suspend operations at affected airports, with reopening times repeatedly reassessed based on fresh ash and wind analyses.
International news reports estimate that hundreds of flights and well over one hundred thousand passengers have been impacted since the weekend as the closures and reroutings took effect. Some long-haul services have been diverted to alternative Indonesian gateways or delayed at origin airports, including in the Gulf region, while domestic connections across western Indonesia have seen cascading delays.
Aviation monitoring from BMKG and partner agencies continues to track the ash cloud’s position and density, with updates issued to airlines and air navigation service providers to support route planning and the eventual safe resumption of full operations.
Guidance for UAE and other international travelers in Indonesia
Publicly available consular guidance for UAE nationals in Indonesia advises travelers to stay in close contact with airlines, follow local announcements and register their presence through official channels when required. The same sources reaffirm that travelers should heed any evacuation, shelter-in-place or health advisories issued by Indonesian authorities in locations affected by ash.
Travel experts recommend that visitors currently in Jakarta plan for potential transport delays, allow extra time to reach airports once operations resume, and maintain adequate supplies of masks, eye drops and basic medications in case ash levels intensify temporarily. Travelers connecting onward to other Indonesian destinations are also being encouraged to check whether their next airports are among those with restricted operations.
For new trips scheduled in the coming days, many airlines serving Jakarta, including carriers from the UAE, are offering rebooking options or flexible change policies in light of the Anak Krakatau disruption. Prospective visitors are being advised to monitor airline and airport websites closely and to consider travel insurance products that cover volcanic events and related cancellations.
Regional coverage suggests that, while the situation remains fluid, previous experience with volcanic ash in Indonesia has given local aviation and emergency management agencies a tested playbook for restoring services once conditions allow, a factor that may help limit the long-term impact on tourism flows between the UAE, Indonesia and other international markets.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel updates for Indonesia
BMKG press release on Anak Krakatau ash and airport closures
Indonesia transport ministry update on extended airport closures