On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Indonesia, closed temporarily due to volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, causing widespread flight disruptions in Jakarta and western Indonesia.
Affected Airports and Regions
The ash cloud from Anak Krakatau spread throughout western Indonesia, impacting multiple airports including Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Husein Sastranegara Airport in West Java, and airspace over Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and Sumatra. Ash dispersion prompted safety-related closures and restrictions affecting hundreds of flights across these regions.
Aviation Safety Measures and Coordination
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM C1080/26) scheduling Pondok Cabe Airport’s closure until
2 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), pending safety assessments. The volcanic ash posed known aviation hazards by reducing visibility and risking engine damage, prompting coordinated monitoring by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), PVMBG, AirNav Indonesia, and airport operators.
Flight Disruptions and Scheduled Closures
By 10:35 a.m. WIB on September 6, 373 flights were affected nationwide due to the ash-related airport closures and airspace restrictions, including the shutdown of Pondok Cabe Airport and delays or cancellations at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. International flights to and from Jakarta were also canceled. The scheduled Pondok Cabe closure until 2 p.m. might extend, as reopening depends on ongoing volcanic
ash monitoring rather than the expiration of the scheduled timeframe.
Passenger Impact and Official Directives
Passengers traveling through affected airports, especially Pondok Cabe and Soekarno-Hatta, face cancellations, delays, and diversions. Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry directed airlines to prioritize passenger safety and not resume flights until aviation authorities confirm safe conditions. Travelers are advised to obtain flight-specific status updates directly from their airline or travel operator due to rapidly evolving ash conditions impacting flight schedules.
The Transportation Ministry and Indonesian aviation authorities continue to reassess the situation as ash disperses, maintaining restrictions until airspace safety can be assured. Husein Sastranegara Airport was added to the list of
affected airports after ash spread into West Java airspace.
