Emirates, Qatar Airways flights hit by Jakarta volcanic ash disruption
Airport closures disrupt international services across Indonesia
DUBAI – Travellers flying to Jakarta from Dubai or Doha face flight disruptions after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced the temporary closure of airports in Indonesia.
Emirates has cancelled and delayed flights between Dubai and Jakarta, while Qatar Airways has cancelled four Doha-Jakarta services scheduled for September 7. Indonesia's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the main gateway serving Jakarta, remains affected by the ash cloud as authorities monitor the volcanic activity.
The disruption is particularly important for international travellers with flights to or from Jakarta, as airport operations can change at short notice depending on ash movement and weather conditions. Passengers booked on affected services should check their airline's latest flight information before travelling to the airport.
Dubai-Jakarta flights
Emirates has confirmed disruptions to its Dubai-Jakarta services following the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) because of volcanic ash. The airline's latest travel update lists cancellations affecting flights between Dubai and Jakarta, including services scheduled for September 6 and September 7.
Emirates passengers should check their flight status before leaving for Dubai International Airport or Jakarta. The airline has also advised customers to keep their contact details updated through its Manage Your Booking portal so they can receive notifications about changes to their itinerary.
Doha-Jakarta flights
Qatar Airways has separately cancelled flights QR954, QR955, QR956 and QR957 between Doha and Jakarta on September 7 because volcanic ash is affecting operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Qatar Airways is advising passengers to check the latest flight status before travelling.
For travellers connecting through Doha, this means a Jakarta-bound journey can be affected even if the passenger's first flight operates normally. Passengers should therefore check the status of each sector of their itinerary before setting off.
Airport closures
The disruption follows renewed activity at Mount Anak Krakatau, which lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. The volcano began erupting late on Friday and continued producing ash, with authorities recording further eruptions over the weekend.
By Monday, eight Indonesian airports remained closed because of volcanic ash, including two serving Jakarta. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport was expected to remain closed until 6pm local time on September 7, although officials stressed that the situation remained dependent on weather and ash conditions.
Bandara Internasional Soekarno-Hatta melakukan penghentian operasional penerbangan sampai pukul 17.30 WIB.
— SOEKARNO-HATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (@soettaairport) September 6, 2026
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Kami mohon maaf atas ketidaknyamanan yang mungkin terjadi. pic.twitter.com/uDaAglMmGB
The disruption has spread well beyond a handful of flights. Indonesia's Transport Ministry said about 170,000 passengers had been affected by flight cancellations, with more than 1,500 flights cancelled or delayed across the country. At Soekarno-Hatta alone, hundreds of flights were affected.
Travel advice
Passengers travelling to Jakarta should avoid heading to the airport without first confirming their flight status. Airline websites and official travel alerts remain the key sources for information on cancellations, delays and revised schedules.
Travellers who have connecting flights should also check whether changes to their Jakarta service affect onward flights, hotel bookings or other parts of their itinerary.
Volcanic ash is a significant aviation hazard because it can damage aircraft engines and other systems. Airlines and aviation authorities can therefore suspend operations when ash is present in an airport's airspace or along flight paths.
The ash from Anak Krakatau has reached high altitudes, with Indonesian authorities reporting emissions of up to 50,000 feet on the Sumatra side and 20,000 feet on the Java side. Officials have warned that further eruptions remain possible.
The volcano's activity has also affected areas beyond aviation, with authorities advising people in affected locations to take precautions against ash exposure. For international visitors already in Indonesia, conditions at individual airports may differ, making it important to check directly with the relevant airline before travelling.