Indonesia Volcano Eruption: Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau has turned travel through Jakarta into a moving target, with passengers facing repeated changes to flight schedules as Indonesian authorities monitor the ash cloud. The eruption has disrupted hundreds of flights and forced temporary closures at several airports across the region.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK), the main international airport serving Jakarta, has been repeatedly closed and its operating restrictions extended as volcanic ash was detected around the airport. The latest government update said the airport was scheduled to remain temporarily closed on September 6.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) Open or Closed Today?
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is temporarily closed today, September 6, because of volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau eruption.
The airport initially suspended operations after volcanic ash was detected around the airport. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation repeatedly extended the closure as monitoring continued.
According to the latest update from Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry, a new NOTAM placed Soekarno-Hatta under a temporary closure from 1:23 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time (WIB) on Sunday. The restriction replaced an earlier closure notice.
Authorities have stressed that the reopening time can change if volcanic ash remains in the airport’s airspace.
The disruption has expanded well beyond the initial airport closure. The Transportation Ministry said about 467 flights had been affected and around 150,000 passengers were left stranded or affected by the airport shutdowns.
Travellers should therefore check their airline’s latest flight status before leaving for the airport.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK): Why is It Closed Today?
The airport has been closed because volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau reached the airport area and surrounding airspace.
Anak Krakatau sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The volcano began erupting late on September 4, producing lava fountains, ash and powerful sounds.
The ash has spread well beyond the immediate area of the volcano. Indonesian meteorological authorities detected ash at around 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) on the Java side and as high as 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) over the Sumatra side and parts of Banten.
Volcanic ash presents a danger to aircraft because fine particles can enter jet engines, damage components, reduce visibility and affect aircraft systems.
Indonesia’s authorities have therefore treated the airport closures as a flight-safety measure rather than a routine operational disruption.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said authorities would not force an airport to reopen while volcanic ash remained a safety concern.
“Apabila memang seperti tadi, masa sebaran masih banyak, kemudian paper test-nya masih positif, maka kami tidak akan memaksakan bandara tersebut dibuka atau pengoperasian pesawat dilakukan,” he said.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK): Which Flights Are Cancelled?
The Anak Krakatau eruption has affected both international and domestic flights at Soekarno-Hatta.
During the earlier closure period, authorities recorded:
- 16 international flights cancelled
- 7 international flights delayed
- 5 international flights rescheduled
- 4 domestic flights cancelled
- 1 domestic flight diverted
The affected international routes included Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam. Domestic services involving destinations such as Lampung, Denpasar and Surabaya were also affected.
Singapore-Jakarta services have been particularly affected. Singapore Airlines cancelled flights between Singapore and Jakarta and rescheduled other services as the situation developed.
The wider disruption has since grown significantly, with Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry reporting 467 affected flights across the airports hit by volcanic ash.
The disruption could also create knock-on effects because aircraft scheduled for cancelled services may be needed for later flights.
Passengers should check directly with their airline because a flight listed as delayed can later be cancelled or rescheduled if the ash cloud continues to affect the route.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK): When Will the Airport Reopen?
The latest official closure window for Soekarno-Hatta runs until 5:30 p.m. local time on September 6.
However, the stated reopening time should not be treated as a guarantee. Indonesian aviation authorities have already extended the airport’s closure several times as new ash tests showed contamination around the airport.
Authorities are coordinating with:
- Airlines
- Airport operators
- AirNav Indonesia
- BMKG
- Aviation authorities
- Volcanic monitoring agencies
Officials will assess the volcanic ash situation before allowing normal operations to resume.
Earlier on Sunday, Soekarno-Hatta was initially scheduled to reopen at 9:30 a.m., but the closure was extended after monitoring continued to detect volcanic ash.
This means passengers should not travel to the airport solely on the basis of an earlier scheduled reopening time.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK): Which Airports Are Affected?
The Anak Krakatau ash cloud has disrupted operations at several Indonesian airports.
The latest government update said temporary closures affected six airports, including:
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)
- Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP)
- Radin Inten II Airport (TKG) in Lampung
- Budiarto Airport in Tangerang
- Pondok Cabe Airport
- Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung
The Indonesian aviation authority said the closure periods differed from airport to airport and were being adjusted according to local ash conditions.
Indonesia has also prepared alternative airports to receive flights that cannot land at affected airports.
The alternatives include Kertajati International Airport, Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang and Juanda International Airport.
Malaysia has also reported cancellations of Jakarta-bound services. Malaysia Airports said 31 flights to Jakarta had been cancelled at airports across Malaysia as of Sunday.
Volcanic Ash Spread Remains Difficult to Predict
The biggest challenge for aviation authorities is the changing movement of the ash cloud.
Anak Krakatau sits in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, but the eruption has sent ash far beyond the immediate area.
BMKG said satellite observations on Sunday identified ash spreading across Banten, Jakarta, West Java and as far as Bengkulu. The agency has intensified its monitoring of the atmosphere, aviation conditions and waters around the Sunda Strait.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency also warned that the ash could change direction at any time.
“The spread and direction of volcanic ash cannot be projected. Please refer to the transport authority for advice,” Lana said.
That uncertainty has made it difficult for airlines to provide passengers with firm departure times.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK): Helpline Numbers
Passengers affected by the disruption should first contact their airline for information about cancellations, refunds, rebooking and alternative flights.
For airport-related assistance, Soekarno-Hatta Airport’s official contact centre is 172. The airport’s official website lists 172 as its contact centre for passenger assistance, including lost-and-found information.
Passengers should also check the airport’s official flight information and their airline’s app or website before travelling.
Because the volcanic ash situation remains fluid, airport schedules can change with little notice.
Core Customer Service
- Contact Centre: 172 (24/7)
- WhatsApp: +62 816 770172
- International: +62 21 5590 018 / +62 21 550 7300
- Email: contact@injourneyairports.id
Emergency & Specialised Offices
- Health Quarantine: 081262722000
- Immigration: 08118337004
- Customs: +62 21 550 7045
Soekarno-Hatta Airport Volcanic Ash
The volcanic ash reaching Soekarno-Hatta originated from the ongoing eruption of Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait.
The ash spread across parts of Banten, Jakarta and West Java, while higher-altitude ash also reached areas toward Sumatra. Authorities have warned that the direction of the ash cloud can change depending on atmospheric conditions.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency has warned people not to enter or conduct activities within 3 kilometres of the volcano’s active crater.
The ash has also affected people living in parts of Banten and Lampung. Some schools suspended activities, fishermen cancelled trips, and residents reported eye irritation.
Indonesia’s disaster management authorities have advised residents affected by ashfall to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activity, protect water sources and take extra care while driving because ash can reduce visibility.
Indonesia Volcanic Eruption Today
Anak Krakatau remains active, and Indonesian authorities continue to monitor its eruption and the movement of its volcanic ash.
The volcano’s latest activity has disrupted Indonesia’s aviation network but has not triggered an imminent tsunami warning. Authorities continue to monitor the Sunda Strait because of Anak Krakatau’s history.
In December 2018, a partial collapse of Anak Krakatau during an eruption triggered a tsunami that struck coastal areas of Java and Sumatra, killing more than 400 people.
The current emergency is primarily focused on volcanic ash, aviation safety and public health. Authorities are monitoring the volcano, testing airspace around airports and coordinating with airlines before deciding when normal flight operations can safely resume.
For passengers travelling through Jakarta today, the safest approach is to check the latest flight status with the airline before going to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, as reopening times and flight schedules may change depending on the ash cloud.
