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Vietnam Airlines is adding capacity and reshuffling services between Vietnam and Jakarta on September 7 as Indonesia’s main international gateway reopens following a volcanic ash shutdown linked to Krakatau.
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Jakarta hub resumes operations after ash-related closure
Publicly available information shows that Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is moving to resume operations from 3 pm local time on September 7 after a temporary closure caused by ash from Indonesia’s Krakatau volcano. The suspension affected hundreds of flights across the country, including services linking the Indonesian capital with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel advisories and local media reports indicate that ash from Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began disrupting aviation from the evening of September 4. The situation led to airspace restrictions and airport closures across western Indonesia, forcing carriers to cancel or reroute flights while authorities monitored the density and movement of the ash cloud.
According to Indonesian and regional news coverage, Soekarno-Hatta’s closure on September 6 created significant congestion and an overnight backlog of passengers waiting to travel once conditions improved. Operators began planning recovery schedules as soon as the reopening window was announced, focusing on restoring key regional routes and clearing stranded travelers.
The reopening aligns with broader efforts in Indonesia to gradually normalize aviation after days of uncertainty. Other airports, including Bandung and Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai, also reported cancellations and delays as Krakatau’s ash moved through busy flight corridors.
Vietnam Airlines boosts Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City links
According to the carrier’s publicly accessible notices and regional media reports, Vietnam Airlines is adjusting its schedule and adding capacity on September 7 to maintain connectivity between Vietnam and Jakarta. The national airline plans to operate four flights from Jakarta back to Vietnam during the afternoon, splitting capacity between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
On the Jakarta to Ho Chi Minh City route, flights VN630D and VN630 are scheduled to depart at 3:50 pm and 5:50 pm local time. Services to Hanoi are planned as VN634B at 3:00 pm and VN634D at 4:50 pm. All timings are listed as local and remain subject to further change depending on operational conditions at Soekarno-Hatta and the evolution of the ash cloud.
In the opposite direction, Vietnam Airlines intends to operate two flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Jakarta, VN631D and VN631, with planned departures at 11:50 am and 1:50 pm. From Hanoi, services VN635D and VN635 are scheduled to leave at 11:20 am and 8:00 pm. The carrier has emphasized through public information channels that these flights are designed both to maintain regular links and to accommodate passengers whose journeys were disrupted the previous day.
The additional rotations supplement Vietnam Airlines’ existing schedule on the Hanoi–Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City–Jakarta routes, which form an important part of its Southeast Asia network. Prior to the disruption, the airline operated regular non-stop services to Indonesia’s capital as well as to Bali.
Clearing the backlog after cancellations on September 6
Published coverage from Vietnamese and Indonesian outlets notes that Vietnam Airlines was among several carriers forced to cancel services on September 6 while Soekarno-Hatta remained closed. At least one Vietnam Airlines flight from Jakarta to Hanoi, VN634, did not operate as planned on Sunday due to safety concerns related to volcanic ash in the flight path.
In statements carried on its website and in local media, the airline indicated that the September 7 schedule is structured to handle travelers whose trips were postponed. By operating multiple return flights to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the carrier aims to move passengers who were stranded overnight in Jakarta and those connecting from other Indonesian destinations.
Travel industry reporting indicates that hundreds of flights across Indonesia were affected by Krakatau’s activity, with more than 22,000 passengers impacted in the first days of disruption. At Jakarta’s main airport alone, over 300 flights were reported as delayed or canceled, including a mix of domestic and international services.
For Vietnam-bound passengers, the extra capacity on September 7 is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, though some travelers may still face revised itineraries or rebooked connections as operations stabilize. Airlines across the region continue to advise passengers to reconfirm departure times before heading to the airport.
Ongoing monitoring of Krakatau’s volcanic activity
Reports from Indonesian media and regional news agencies describe Anak Krakatau as having entered a more active phase since September 4, releasing ash that drifted into busy air routes in western Indonesia. The volcano is closely watched due to its history and its strategic location between two of the country’s most important islands, Java and Sumatra.
Aviation safety guidance typically calls for rerouting or suspending flights whenever ash clouds intersect with commercial air corridors, because fine volcanic particles can damage aircraft engines and critical systems. In this case, restrictions around Jakarta and several other airports were introduced while airspace managers assessed the height and concentration of the ash.
Public information from Vietnam Airlines and Indonesian operators indicates that flight plans to and from Jakarta remain under constant review. Schedules for subsequent days have not been fully finalized, with carriers signaling that further adjustments are possible if ash dispersion patterns change.
Travelers booked on Indonesia routes over the coming days are being encouraged through airline websites and travel advisories to monitor updates closely. Flexible ticket policies and fee waivers are being used in some cases to allow passengers to adjust plans without penalty when flights are rescheduled or canceled.
What passengers traveling via Jakarta should expect
Information from airline notices and news reports suggests that Soekarno-Hatta’s reopening is being managed gradually, with priority placed on safely restarting core domestic and regional routes. As such, travelers can expect busier than usual terminals, longer queues at check in and security, and potential last-minute gate or time changes as airlines work through accumulated delays.
Vietnam Airlines is advising passengers traveling to or from Jakarta to check the latest information on its official website, mobile app, and other verified channels before departing for the airport. Similar guidance is being issued by other carriers operating in and out of the Indonesian capital.
Industry observers note that while most operations are expected to resume within a short window after the reopening, knock-on effects from aircraft and crew repositioning may continue for several days. Travelers with tight onward connections, particularly on long-haul itineraries, may face rebookings while airlines and airports recalibrate schedules.
For now, the additional services planned by Vietnam Airlines from Jakarta to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City mark a significant step in clearing the immediate backlog and restoring confidence in one of Southeast Asia’s busiest regional links, even as Krakatau’s activity continues to be monitored closely by aviation and meteorological agencies.
Tuoi Tre News: Vietnam Airlines adds Jakarta flights as Indonesia airport reopens
Vietnam Airlines: Schedule adjustments and extra Jakarta flights