TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel and raised health concerns as volcanic ash spread across parts of Indonesia.
The eruption has affected airport operations, forced thousands of passengers to adjust their travel plans and prompted authorities to take measures to protect residents from exposure to volcanic ash.
Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption Impacts on Indonesia
Here are the main impacts of the latest Anak Krakatau eruption.
Eight Airports Closed Amid Anak Krakatau Eruption
Volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted flight operations across Indonesia, with eight airports closed due to the impact of volcanic ash on Monday, September 7, 2026.
The eruption had affected eight airports, disrupting 1,558 flights and affecting about 170,000 passengers, according to the Transportation Ministry, as reported by Al Jazeera. More than 900 of the affected flights involved services to and from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s main gateway.
The eight airports affected were:
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten
Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta
Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung
Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java
Budiarto Airport in Curug, Tangerang, Banten
Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Banten
Taufik Kiemas Airport in Pesisir Barat, Lampung
Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra
The Ministry of Transportation initially extended the closure of Soekarno-Hatta, located more than 150 kilometers from Mount Anak Krakatau, until 8:59 a.m. local time on Monday.
At Soekarno-Hatta alone, the temporary shutdown affected 1,039 flights and disrupted travel for 166,351 passengers. The airport suspended operations from 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, after authorities detected the potential spread of volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau, according to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by AirNav Indonesia.
As of 9:30 p.m. Sunday, the affected flights included cancellations, delays and diversions to other airports. They comprised 746 domestic flights, 272 international flights and 21 cargo flights.
The temporary closure, known as an aerodrome closure, was implemented as a precautionary measure to protect flight safety amid the potential spread of volcanic ash.
Volcanic Ash Raises Health Risks
Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau has spread across parts of Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Lampung and Bengkulu, affecting air travel and daily activities. The fine particles can also pose health risks, as volcanic ash contains fragments of rock, minerals and volcanic glass.
Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system, causing coughing, sneezing and breathing difficulties. People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory conditions may experience worsening symptoms.
Fine ash particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, while volcanic gases released during eruptions can cause additional health problems.
People in areas affected by ash are advised to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks, particularly N95 or KN95 masks, when going outside.
Protective eyewear can help prevent eye irritation, while long-sleeved clothing can reduce direct contact with ash.
Residents should also keep doors and windows closed when ash concentrations are high and clean ash carefully to prevent fine particles from becoming airborne again.
Schools Switch to Remote Learning in Affected Areas
The eruption has also disrupted education in several areas affected by volcanic ash.
The Education Ministry has allowed schools in heavily affected areas to adjust their learning arrangements based on local air pollution levels, including implementing remote learning, or PJJ.
Areas identified as being significantly affected include Serang in Banten, Tanggamus in Lampung, South Lampung and Bandar Lampung.
Jakarta has implemented PJJ for all levels of education, covering both public and private schools, starting Monday, September 7. The policy will remain in place until further notice while authorities continue to assess conditions.
Lampung has also implemented PJJ for two days and instructed schools to temporarily suspend outdoor activities, including sports classes and ceremonies.
In West Java, Governor Dedi Mulyadi has allowed schools affected by volcanic ash to implement PJJ, with individual local governments and schools responsible for determining how to carry out the policy.
Bogor Regency is still considering PJJ if ashfall continues and conditions do not improve. For now, the local government has instructed authorities to clean areas covered by volcanic ash.
Pandeglang Regency in Banten has issued a circular ordering all educational institutions to conduct PJJ for two days starting Monday, September 7.
Meanwhile, Banten Governor Andra Soni is still reviewing whether to introduce a broader PJJ policy across the province.
Transportation Services Adjust
While air travel has faced major disruptions, other transportation services have continued operating.
Ferry services between Merak and Bakauheni remained operational, although passenger numbers declined as some travelers canceled or postponed their journeys.
The railway operator also increased services and capacity on several routes to accommodate passengers affected by flight disruptions.
The measures are intended to provide alternatives for travelers while airport operations are gradually restored.
Anak Krakatau Remains Under Close Monitoring
Mount Anak Krakatau has remained at Alert Level III since July 2, 2026.
Authorities continue monitoring the volcano's seismic activity, eruption patterns and ash movement as conditions can change rapidly.
The latest activity has also renewed public memories of the December 2018 tsunami, which was triggered by the collapse of part of Anak Krakatau. However, authorities have emphasized that volcanic eruptions do not automatically cause tsunamis.
For now, the main precautions remain avoiding the restricted area around the volcano, following official warnings and protecting against exposure to volcanic ash.
