Published: 12:00, September 7, 2026
Indonesia extends airport closures as volcano disruptions linger
By Bloomberg
People wait as flights are disrupted due to the eruption of Mount Arak Krakatau at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Sept 6, 2026. (PHOTO/AP)

Indonesia extended airport closures and halted free school meals in some areas as ash from Mount Anak Krakatau continued to disrupt activities.

As many as eight airports, including Jakarta’s main gateway, will remain closed until 9 am local time Monday, the Transport Ministry said in a statement. The National Nutrition Agency separately said free meal deliveries will be paused from Monday at schools that have switched to distance learning.

In this drone photo released by the Geological Agency (Badan Geologi) of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mount Anak Krakatau spews volcanic smoke in Sunda Strait, Indonesia, Sept 5, 2026. (PHOTO/BADAN GEOLOGI VIA AP)

Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, has been active since early July, with eruptions intensifying Friday night. Volcanic ash was still detected over parts of Jakarta, Banten and West Java as of 7 am Monday, as well as areas around Lampung, Bengkulu and South Sumatra, according to the weather agency’s website. The ash had already spread across the same areas on Sunday.

The shutdown of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia’s busiest airport and main international gateway, threatens to snarl travel well beyond the capital. A prolonged closure could strand tens of thousands of passengers and disrupt flights across the country and the wider region. State-owned operator InJourney Airports said seven airports across Java, Bali and Sumatra islands have been designated as alternative airports to support operations.