Anak Krakatau eruption grounds flights between Jakarta and Makassar
Ongoing volcanic activity at Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait has disrupted air travel between Indonesia's busiest airport and Makassar, with 21 flights canceled or delayed on Sunday as ash clouds reached 15 kilometers altitude.
Flight Disruptions Hit Major Indonesian Route
Volcanic eruptions at Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait have forced the cancellation and delay of flights between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar, affecting 21 flights on Sunday.
According to monitoring data from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, twelve flights were canceled while nine others experienced delays. Nurlia, a passenger traveling from Makassar to Jakarta, reported waiting three hours for flight confirmation.
Major Eruption Sends Ash 15 Kilometers High
The disruptions follow a major eruption on September 5, 2026, when the volcano ejected volcanic ash up to 15 kilometers above sea level. The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center tracked the ash plume moving westward at approximately 74 kilometers per hour, placing it directly in the path of major flight routes.
Aviation authorities close airspace when volcanic ash is present because the material is highly abrasive and poses severe risks to aircraft. The ash can erode turbine blades, cause engine flame-outs, and contaminate fuel systems, making flight through ash clouds extremely dangerous.
Sustained Volcanic Activity Since July
The current eruptions are part of sustained volcanic activity that began when authorities raised Anak Krakatau's alert status to Level III (Siaga) on July 2, 2026. The volcano has maintained this heightened alert level for over two months, with eruptions continuing throughout the period.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia's busiest aviation hub, handles over 60 million passengers annually and ranks as the eighth busiest airport globally. The facility has a current capacity of 56 million passengers per year, making disruptions at the airport significant for both domestic and international travel.
Historical Context and Ongoing Risks
Anak Krakatau, which emerged from the sea in 1930, formed within the caldera created by the catastrophic 1883 Krakatoa eruption that killed more than 36,000 people. That historic disaster, one of the most devastating volcanic events in recorded history, caused widespread destruction primarily through tsunamis that swept the coastlines of Sumatra and Java.
The volcano demonstrated its continuing destructive potential in December 2018 when it collapsed during an eruption, triggering a tsunami that killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands of coastal residents. This recent disaster has heightened awareness of the ongoing risks posed by the volcano.
Anak Krakatau recorded 136 eruptions in 2023, making it Indonesia's most active volcano that year. The volcano is located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, part of Indonesia's approximately 130 active volcanoes along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Current Safety Measures
Authorities currently maintain a three-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano's active crater. Emergency management officials are monitoring for potential tsunami activity while keeping coastal evacuation routes and gathering points ready for immediate use if conditions deteriorate.