Jakarta, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport near Jakarta was temporarily closed early Sunday after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau was detected in the airport area, disrupting several international and domestic flights, the Ministry of Transportation said.
Lukman F. Laisa, the ministry’s director general of civil aviation, said the disruption affected Indonesia’s main airport, with 16 international flights cancelled, seven delayed and five rescheduled.
Affected international routes included Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul, Doha, Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, according to Xinhua news agency.
Four domestic flights were also cancelled and one was diverted, affecting services involving destinations including Lampung, Denpasar and Surabaya.
Lukman said aviation authorities were closely monitoring Mount Anak Krakatau’s activity and coordinating with airlines, the airport operator, the air navigation service provider and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. Flight operations would be adjusted according to prevailing volcanic ash conditions, he said.
Indonesia has also witnessed activity from other volcanoes in recent months.
Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra erupted earlier on Monday, sending a thick, dark ash column approximately 3,500 metres above its summit towards the east and southeast, according to Armen Putra, head of the Sinabung Volcano Observation Post.
The eruption lasted about an hour and was recorded on a seismogram with a maximum amplitude of 120 millimetres. Volcanic ash covered roads and vehicles in nearby Berastagi, reducing visibility.
Authorities urged residents to wear masks and remain alert. Schools in affected areas also advised students and teachers to use masks while outdoors.
Mount Sinabung remains at Level II, or Alert status. Authorities have prohibited activities within three kilometres of the summit and within 4.5 kilometres in the southeast sector. Residents near rivers originating from the volcano have also been warned about possible lahar flows.
In another major volcanic incident, three people were killed in May after Mount Dukono erupted in North Maluku. The volcano erupted at around 7:40 a.m. local time on May 8, sending volcanic ash approximately 10 km into the atmosphere.
Authorities continue to monitor volcanic activity across Indonesia and its potential impact on communities and aviation.
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