Mount Anak Krakatau volcano keeps UAE travellers on alert as Jakarta flights face cancellations, delays
Emirates cancels three services while Etihad continues its gradual recovery
DUBAI – UAE travellers flying to Jakarta are facing continued disruption after Mount Anak Krakatau sent volcanic ash across the Indonesian capital and forced the temporary closure of its main airport.
Emirates has cancelled three Dubai-Jakarta services on Tuesday, even after Soekarno-Hatta International Airport reopened, while Etihad Airways is gradually restoring its Abu Dhabi-Jakarta operation. The latest disruption follows several days of cancellations and delays affecting passengers travelling between the UAE and Indonesia.
For passengers departing from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the reopening of Jakarta's airport does not yet mean that flights have returned to their normal schedules. Airlines are continuing to assess operational conditions, while Indonesian authorities are inspecting aircraft that were grounded during the airport closure. Fresh eruptions from Anak Krakatau on Tuesday are also being monitored for their potential impact on aviation.
Emirates
Emirates has cancelled three Jakarta services scheduled for today (Tuesday).
The affected flights are EK356 from Dubai to Jakarta, EK357 from Jakarta to Dubai and EK359 from Jakarta to Dubai. The cancellations follow the carrier's earlier suspension of services during the airport closure caused by volcanic ash.
Emirates had also cancelled EK356, EK357, EK358 and EK359 on September 6 and again on September 7. Its current disruption information therefore covers multiple cancellations on the Dubai-Jakarta route during the period of volcanic disruption.
The cancellations are particularly significant for UAE travellers because Dubai is a major connecting point for passengers heading to the Indonesian capital. Emirates has advised affected passengers to check their individual flight status and contact the airline or their travel agent for rebooking arrangements.
Passengers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta should also verify their booking before beginning the journey. An earlier confirmed itinerary may no longer reflect the latest operational position.
Etihad
Etihad Airways has also experienced disruption on its Abu Dhabi-Jakarta route, although its latest position points towards a gradual recovery.
The airline previously cancelled EY474 from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta, while services between Jakarta and Abu Dhabi were also affected by delays after the Indonesian airport closure. Etihad's flight information now indicates that the route is progressing towards normal operations as Jakarta's airports reopen.
Travellers departing from Abu Dhabi should nevertheless check the status of their individual service before travelling to Zayed International Airport, particularly those booked on flights connecting with other Indonesian destinations.
The disruption has not been limited to UAE carriers. Qatar Airways cancelled QR959 from Jakarta to Doha on Tuesday, following several cancellations between Doha and Jakarta on September 7. The continuing impact on Gulf-Indonesia services means passengers travelling from the UAE with connections through other Gulf hubs may also face changes.
Why flights are affected
The disruption began after Mount Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, erupted and sent volcanic ash towards Jakarta and surrounding areas.
Volcanic ash is a serious aviation hazard because it can damage aircraft engines and other systems, while reduced visibility and ash concentrations can make flying unsafe. Indonesian authorities subsequently closed eight airports as the ash spread across affected areas. Nearly 3,000 flights were disrupted, affecting about 341,000 passengers, according to Indonesian authorities.
Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport reopened early today, together with several other airports. The reopening followed assessments showing that conditions had improved sufficiently for aviation operations to resume.
However, authorities are now checking aircraft that were grounded during the closure. Transport officials said 178 aircraft at Soekarno-Hatta required airworthiness inspections before returning to service.
The reopening has therefore allowed airlines to begin restoring services, but not necessarily at the frequency or timings originally published.
What UAE travellers need
Travellers from the UAE heading to Jakarta should check their flight status directly with Emirates or Etihad before leaving for the airport. This is particularly important for passengers whose flights were previously confirmed, as schedules are continuing to change during the recovery.
Emirates passengers affected by the Jakarta cancellations should contact their travel agent if the booking was made through an agency, or Emirates directly if the ticket was purchased from the airline.
Passengers should also keep their contact details updated in their airline booking so they can receive cancellation, retiming and rebooking notifications.
The situation remains fluid because Jakarta's airport has reopened while Mount Anak Krakatau continues to be monitored. Fresh eruptions were reported on Tuesday, raising the possibility of further changes if volcanic ash again affects Indonesian airspace.