Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption Disrupts Flights, 5 Alternative Airports Are Operated 24 Hours a Day

The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) has disrupted flight operations across multiple regions. Volcanic ash has forced eight airports to temporarily cease operations as a precaution to protect aviation safety.

Amid this situation, the government has prepared designated alternative airports that airlines may utilise to maintain air travel connectivity. Five of these backup airports will operate around the clock.

This update is critical for travellers holding flight schedules departing from or arriving into affected areas. Passengers may not only face timetable adjustments, but may also be rerouted to alternate airports at the discretion of their operating airline.

Five Alternative Airports Operating 24 Hours

Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed the government has activated these backup airports for airline use while impact-affected facilities remain unable to resume flight services.

The five full-time operational airports are Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), and Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo.

"As announced earlier, these facilities are made available for airlines that require them. We have activated Kertajati, Semarang, Juanda, Yogyakarta YIA and Solo airports for full 24-hour operations," the Minister stated officially in Jakarta on Sunday, 6 September 2026.

This policy enables airlines to restructure flight routes according to real-time on-site conditions. The alternate airports may be used for both arrivals and departures, as safety assessments at the original affected airports remain the primary operational consideration.

For travellers, this means itineraries originally scheduled for a closed airport may be diverted. All passengers are strongly advised to monitor official updates directly from their airline before travelling to any airport.

Eight Airports Closed Due To Volcanic Ash

Temporary suspension orders have been issued for eight airports within the volcanic ash dispersion zone from the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption.

Affected facilities include Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, and Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung.

Also on the closure list are Husein Sastranegara Airport Bandung, Budiarto Airport Curug Tangerang, Pondok Cabe Airport South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas Airport in West Pesisir Lampung, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.

All eight airports are currently scheduled to remain closed until 23:59 WIB Sunday. Further decisions will be adjusted based on continuous volcanic ash monitoring and aviation safety assessments.

During volcanic events, airborne ash presents a severe operational hazard for aircraft. Route diversions and airport closures are standard mandated safety mitigation protocols.

Diverted Passengers Eligible For Complimentary Ground Transport

Alongside activating backup airports, the government has also arranged ground connectivity support for passengers with diverted flights.

The Ministry of Transportation in partnership with InJourney Airports will operate connecting ground services from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to all designated alternate airports. Complimentary train and bus transfers will be provided for passengers rerouted to Kertajati, Juanda, Solo, Semarang or Yogyakarta.

The Transport Minister confirmed no fees will be charged to passengers for these connecting transfer services.

This policy forms part of government efforts to minimise cascading disruption from the flight suspension. The connecting transport is intended to enable passengers to continue their travel despite changes to their arrival or departure airport.

Services will be coordinated jointly between InJourney Airports and individual operating airlines. Passengers will receive official notification of their revised airport location along with details of available transfer options.

All updates regarding flight diversions and revised timetables will be communicated directly to passengers by their respective airline. As diversion decisions are made independently by each operator, travellers are explicitly warned not to travel to any alternate airport before receiving formal written confirmation.

Affected passengers retain full choice regarding their travel: they may proceed with their flight via the reallocated alternate airport, or may opt to cancel their journey entirely as required.

"This decision rests entirely with the public. They may choose to continue their travel via one of these alternate airports, or cancel their plans as suits their needs," Dudy explained.

The government stated this framework is designed to preserve public mobility, particularly for people requiring urgent travel to or from the Jakarta region.

At all times, aviation safety will remain the absolute priority while volcanic ash conditions continue to present operational risk.

Continuous cross-agency coordination between the Ministry of Transportation, InJourney Airports, airline operators and relevant authorities remains ongoing to ensure smooth flight reallocation and minimise wider transport disruption.

For travellers with flights affected by the eruption: do not only check schedules via your booking application. Always verify official notifications issued directly by your airline, as changes may include revised departure locations, adjusted timetables, altered routes, and details of the complimentary ground transfer services.