Jakarta airport closed for second day due to Anak Krakatau ash

Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport remains closed for a second day because of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. All operations are suspended until 18:00 local time on 7 September. That extends an earlier closure notice which had set the suspension until 08:59 local time.

Soekarno-Hatta is one of eight airports shut following the eruption. The others include Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma Airport and Bandung's Husein Sastranegara Airport. Mount Anak Krakatau, located between Java and Sumatra, has been erupting since late 4 September, and ash was detected at the airport on 6 September.

Indonesian authorities said over 170,000 travellers have been affected since cancellations began on 6 September. Garuda Indonesia suspended all flights from three airports, including its Jakarta hub, for 7 September. Affected international services include those to Bangkok, Seoul Incheon, Singapore and Jeddah. Lion Air Group, AirAsia Indonesia and TransNusa Airlines also cancelled flights through 7 September. International carriers Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways International suspended their Jakarta flights as well.

Flight tracking information shows changes to flight paths, especially on routes between Southeast Asia and Australia. Aircraft are avoiding airspace around Jakarta, Bandung and Lampung, re-routing towards western Java.