ON
← Back to feed
Indonesia Airports reopen after Mount Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts flights
ZA🏛️ Politics9/8/2026

Indonesia Airports reopen after Mount Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts flights

Indonesia's main airports and several other air travel hubs have reopened after being closed for days due to volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The Transport Ministry confirmed that Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and four others are now operational again. The eruption occurred approximately 150 kilometers from Jakarta and caused significant disruption, with eight airports halting operations and over 340,000 passengers stranded. Airlines are now working to reschedule flights and assist stranded travelers. Two of the original eight affected airports remain closed, and more than 240 flights were canceled or delayed on Monday due to the volcanic ash. The volcano, located in a strait between Java and Sumatra, has been intermittently active since emerging from the sea in the early 20th century. A 2018 tsunami linked to the volcano resulted in 429 deaths and widespread displacement.

Seven Indonesian airports remained closed on Monday due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau, a volcano situated between Java and Sumatra. The ash, resulting from an eruption that occurred late on Friday, prompted authorities to halt air traffic in Jakarta and surrounding regions for safety reasons. The closure of Jakarta’s primary airport, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, was extended until 6 p.m. local time, alongside six other airports. A seventh airport in South Sumatra had already reopened earlier in the day. Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the duration of the closure was uncertain due to changing weather conditions. The eruption of Anak Krakatau, which translates to "child of Krakatau," occurred late on Friday and continued into the following days. The volcano, part of Indonesia’s extensive network of active volcanoes, is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The most recent eruption was recorded on Sunday at 8:23 p.m., according to the volcano monitoring agency. Ash clouds rose to heights of 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) on the Java side and 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) on the Sumatra side and in parts of Banten province. The disruptions led to the cancellation or delay of approximately 2,300 flights, affecting more than 270,000 passengers. At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, passengers were seen searching for updates on their flight statuses, with some opting to rest on benches. Carlos Zabala, a passenger traveling back to Spain, expressed frustration over the delays and lack of clear communication from airline operators. He noted the repeated waiting periods as a major inconvenience. Experts such as renowned volcano specialist Surono highlighted the potential dangers posed by the volcanic ash, particularly to aircraft engines. Windy and dry conditions were contributing to the dispersion of sulfur and silica-laden ash across the region. The disaster management agency advised residents to wear masks while traveling outdoors to minimize exposure to the ash. In Jakarta and Lampung, schools implemented remote learning to mitigate health risks for students. By early Tuesday, the situation appeared to stabilize, with the Transport Ministry announcing the reopening of Jakarta’s main airport and four others. This included Halim Perdanakusuma, a smaller airport in the Jakarta area, and Hussein Sastranegara in Bandung, the capital of West Java. Another airport in South Sumatra had also reopened earlier in the day. Despite these developments, two of the original eight affected airports remained closed. Airlines faced the challenge of accommodating stranded passengers and restoring normal operations after several days of disruption. The Transport Ministry had prepared six alternative airports as contingency plans for aircraft originally scheduled to land in Jakarta. These measures aimed to manage the increased demand and ensure the safe movement of passengers. The reopening of the airports marked a step toward resolving the ongoing crisis, though the possibility of further eruptions remained high, according to the volcano monitoring agency.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

IOL (Independent Online) logoIOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenterFactual 85Objective 909/8/2026
Indonesia Airports reopen after Mount Anak Krakatau eruption disrupts flights

Indonesia's main airports and several other air travel hubs have reopened after being closed for days due to volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. The Transport Ministry confirmed that Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and four others are now operational again. The eruption occurred approximately 150 kilometers from Jakarta and caused significant disruption, with eight airports halting operations and over 340,000 passengers stranded. Airlines are now working to reschedule flights and assist stranded travelers. Two of the original eight affected airports remain closed, and more than 240 flights were canceled or delayed on Monday due to the volcanic ash. The volcano, located in a strait between Java and Sumatra, has been intermittently active since emerging from the sea in the early 20th century. A 2018 tsunami linked to the volcano resulted in 429 deaths and widespread displacement.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the impact of the volcanic eruption on Indonesia's airports and air traffic, without showing clear bias toward any political stance or ideology. It focuses on the logistical challenges faced by authorities and airlines rather than taking a position on policy

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the reopening of Indonesian airports following the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption, citing the Transport Ministry's statements and providing details on the number of affected flights and passengers. It aligns with the cross-source consensus regarding the event and does no

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a neutral tone, focusing on factual updates and official statements. There is no evident bias or emotional language, maintaining an objective and balanced perspective.

Daily Maverick logoDaily MaverickIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 809/7/2026
Seven Indonesian airports remain shut due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau

Volcanic ash from the eruption of Anak Krakatau, located between Java and Sumatra, has caused the closure of seven Indonesian airports, including Jakarta's main airport, Soekarno-Hatta. The ash, which has spread across Jakarta and surrounding areas, led to the cancellation or delay of over 2,300 flights affecting more than 270,000 travelers. Residents are dealing with the aftermath, cleaning dust from their homes and mosques, while authorities warn of potential further eruptions. The transport ministry stated that the closures would remain in effect until 6 p.m. local time, though one airport in South Sumatra has already reopened. Passengers expressed frustration over the uncertainty and delays, while experts noted that the current eruption was unusual and posed risks to aircraft engines due to the sulfur and silica-laden ash.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on environmental hazards caused by a natural disaster, volcanic activity, and its impact on infrastructure and travel. There is no political framing, controversy, or ideological emphasis present. The content is purely descriptive of the event and its effects.

Why factuality (85): The article provides accurate information about the current situation with seven Indonesian airports remaining shut due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau. It includes historical context about the volcano and references the 2018 tsunami that killed over 400 people. The mention of 270,000 people affe

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the situation in a neutral manner, focusing on the impact of the volcanic activity and quoting the transport minister. While there is some emotional language describing the scene at the airport, the overall tone remains objective and factual without overt bias.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories