Volcanic activity near Mount Anak Krakatoa disrupts Jakarta air travel, while Bali operations remain unaffected
Flights departing from and arriving at Indonesia's capital were grounded on September 7 due to ash clouds associated with the ongoing eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa. In contrast, commercial services continuing their routes between Java and the island of Bali proceeded without interruption.
Mount Anak Krakatoa in western Indonesia has been erupting since late August 2026, generating significant ashfall that impacted air traffic across parts of Java.
On September 7, aviation authorities grounded flights at Jakarta's international airport following the accumulation of volcanic material near the flight path. The disruption affected both inbound and outbound services to the capital city.
Despite the closure in Jakarta, travel between Java and Bali remained operational on the same day. Airlines reported that aircraft flying over or into Denpasar International Airport encountered no significant hazards from ash clouds.
The divergent impact highlights the localized nature of the eruption's atmospheric effects; while dense plumes reached heights capable of obstructing major air corridors near Jakarta, they did not extend sufficiently to disrupt routes connecting Java and Bali.
At a glance
- Flights at Jakarta airport were grounded on September 7 due to volcanic ash.
- Routes between Java and Bali continued normally despite the eruption activity.
- The event is attributed to ongoing unrest at Mount Anak Krakatoa, which has been active since late August.