Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Over 200 Flights, Closes Six Indonesian Airports
Thestandard · 5 SOURCESabout 21 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Mount Anak Krakatau erupted for the second consecutive day on Sunday, September 6, 2026, forcing the closure of six airports across Indonesia and affecting more than 23,000 passengers . The volcanic ash forced Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to suspend operations until 1:30 p.m. local time, disrupting flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha, Amsterdam, and Kuala Lumpur . At least seven Hong Kong-Jakarta flights were cancelled as Cathay Pacific and Garuda Indonesia suspended services . Indonesian authorities have confirmed there is no tsunami risk from the current eruption, despite memories of the catastrophic 2018 tsunami that killed more than 400 people .
Key Points
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport suspended operations until 13:30 local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday, with 16 international flights cancelled, 7 delayed, and 5 rescheduled
- Domestic services suffered 4 cancellations and 1 diversion, affecting routes to Lampung, Denpasar, and Surabaya
- A total of 209 flights were disrupted, including routes to Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha, Amsterdam, and Kuala Lumpur
- Volcanic ash was detected at altitudes of 20,000 feet above Java and up to 50,000 feet above Sumatra
- The volcano began erupting late Friday night, with continuous seismic activity, lava fountains, and booming sounds audible up to 700km away
- Indonesian authorities confirmed no tsunami warning is in effect despite the 2018 disaster
- BNPB spokesperson Berton Panjaitan urged the public to wear masks, reduce outdoor activities, and cover water sources
Why It Matters
The eruption highlights Indonesia's vulnerability as the country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic and seismic activity are frequent . While authorities have assured there is no immediate tsunami risk, the disruption to six airports and the grounding of over 200 flights demonstrates the cascading impact of volcanic activity on regional aviation infrastructure and thousands of affected travelers, including Hong Kong passengers who now face cancelled flights and uncertainty about travel plans .
The eruption highlights Indonesia's vulnerability as the country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic and seismic activity are frequent . While authorities have assured there is no immediate tsunami risk, the disruption to six airports and the grounding of over 200 flights demonstrates the cascading impact of volcanic activity on regional aviation infrastructure and thousands of affected travelers, including Hong Kong passengers who now face cancelled flights and uncertainty about travel plans .