More news on this day
Flights between the United Arab Emirates and Jakarta faced fresh disruption on September 7, 2026, after volcanic ash from Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau led to extended closures at Soekarno Hatta International Airport and forced Emirates and Etihad Airways to cancel or delay multiple services.
Get the latest news straight to your inbox!
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau shuts Jakarta’s main hub
Indonesia’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport, the primary gateway to Jakarta, has been intermittently closed since September 6 after ash clouds from the erupting Anak Krakatau volcano drifted over the capital’s airspace. Published coverage indicates that operations at the airport, located more than 150 kilometres from the volcano, were suspended along with several other Indonesian airports, stranding tens of thousands of passengers across the country.
Reports from international news outlets describe Anak Krakatau’s latest series of eruptions as producing towering ash plumes and lava fountains, with ash dispersion triggering repeated airspace assessments and forcing authorities to keep runways closed for safety checks. The suspension of flights has had a cascading impact across regional and long haul networks, particularly on key routes linking Southeast Asia with Gulf hubs.
Data collated from aviation reports suggests that more than 1,500 flights have been delayed or cancelled across the eight affected Indonesian airports since the weekend, including hundreds at Soekarno Hatta alone. For long haul travellers transiting through Jakarta on their way to or from the Middle East and Europe, the shutdowns have resulted in missed connections, diversions and last minute itinerary changes.
Emirates cancels multiple Dubai–Jakarta rotations
Publicly available information on the Emirates travel updates page shows that the Dubai based carrier has cancelled a series of flights between Dubai International (DXB) and Jakarta (CGK) on both September 6 and September 7. The airline lists flights EK356 and EK358 from Dubai to Jakarta, and EK357 and EK359 from Jakarta to Dubai, as cancelled on both days, reflecting a full halt of scheduled two way services over the 48 hour period.
Regional media coverage notes that Emirates services operating on September 5 and 6 had already faced a mix of delays and cancellations after the initial temporary closure of Soekarno Hatta. On September 7, the carrier extended these measures as ash conditions around the airport remained volatile, emphasizing that affected flights were being rerouted, rescheduled or cancelled in line with evolving safety assessments.
The airline’s advisory further states that customers connecting through Dubai for onward travel to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice, effectively pausing new passenger flows onto the disrupted route. Travellers are urged in the published guidance to monitor the live flight status tool and review emails and text alerts for rebooking options or revised departure times.
Etihad services from Abu Dhabi face delays
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has also adjusted its Jakarta operations in response to the ash cloud. According to regional broadcast reports, the airline indicated that flight EY472 from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta on September 6 experienced delays, while the return service EY473 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi on September 7 is operating with a revised schedule.
Although Etihad has not published a full list of cancellations comparable to Emirates’ online update, local coverage suggests that the carrier is proactively managing capacity on the Abu Dhabi–Jakarta route and may implement additional timing changes or equipment swaps as conditions evolve. Passengers booked on these services are being advised through public channels to check their flight status frequently and to allow extra time for any last minute schedule alterations.
Etihad’s booking engine continues to display future Jakarta services later in September and beyond, which indicates that the airline currently expects the disruption to be temporary. However, travel planners note that flight availability and departure times in the near term remain subject to change as aviation authorities and airlines respond to updated volcanic ash advisories.
Wider impact on UAE carriers and regional connectivity
Beyond Emirates and Etihad, other Gulf and international airlines have also revised Jakarta schedules as ash from Anak Krakatau affects airport operations. Coverage from UAE based outlets reports that Qatar Airways has cancelled several Doha–Jakarta flights for September 7, while additional carriers with significant Southeast Asia networks are monitoring the situation and adjusting plans where necessary.
For the UAE, Jakarta is a key destination linking Gulf hubs with one of Southeast Asia’s largest outbound travel markets and serving as a transit point for passengers heading to secondary Indonesian cities. The suspension of flights into Soekarno Hatta has therefore impacted not only point to point traffic but also onward journeys to destinations across the archipelago and the wider Asia Pacific region.
Aviation analysts quoted in regional commentary highlight that volcanic ash poses particular hazards for jet engines and flight operations, prompting airlines to adopt conservative risk thresholds and to avoid affected airspace whenever ash concentrations are detected. This can result in full route cancellations, extended ground delays or lengthy rerouting that significantly increases flight times and fuel burn.
What affected passengers should do now
For travellers currently booked on UAE–Jakarta flights, the most up to date information is being provided through airline websites, mobile apps and direct notifications. Emirates’ travel advisory encourages customers to use the “Manage booking” section to change their travel dates or seek alternative routings, while also stressing that only passengers with confirmed, operating flights should proceed to the airport.
Regional news reports indicate that passengers impacted by cancellations are being offered options to rebook onto later dates or to route via alternative Southeast Asian gateways where possible, subject to seat availability and local entry regulations. In some cases, travellers may need to consider departures from or arrivals into other Indonesian airports that remain open, then connect domestically once conditions around Jakarta improve.
Given the dynamic nature of volcanic ash dispersion, flight schedules may continue to shift at short notice over the coming days. Travel experts recommend that passengers keep contact details updated with their airline, monitor official airport and airline channels closely and avoid making nonrefundable onward bookings until their revised itinerary is confirmed.
For now, published forecasts and airport statements suggest that operations at Soekarno Hatta could resume in stages as ash levels allow, but full normalisation of long haul schedules between the UAE and Jakarta is likely to depend on a sustained reduction in volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau.
ARN News Centre report on UAE–Jakarta disruptions