Sunday, 06 September 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The eruption of Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait waters has disrupted air traffic between Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, and Jakarta in both directions. A total of 26 flights operated by several airlines were canceled on Sunday, September 6, 2026, after volcanic ash disrupted flight operations in the Jakarta area.
The eruptive activity of Anak Krakatau, located between the islands of Java and Sumatra, continued on Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6, 2026. Due to the situation, several flights between Kualanamu and Jakarta had to be adjusted for the safety of passengers and crew.According to PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi KNO Manager of Corporate Affairs Mohamad Hikmat Hidayat, whose statement was conveyed by PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi KNO spokesperson M Zul Andrika, flight cancellations began as early as the first scheduled flight at 4:00 a.m. local time (WIB).
The airport operator also recorded the temporary closure of two airports in Jakarta due to the spread of volcanic ash. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang/Jakarta (CGK) suspended flight operations until 1:30 p.m. WIB, while Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta (HLP) suspended operations until 2:00 p.m. WIB.The measure was taken to prevent risks to aviation safety, as volcanic ash can interfere with aircraft operations.
The airlines that canceled flights on the Kualanamu–Jakarta and Jakarta–Kualanamu routes included Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, Batik Air, and Pelita Air.
The flight cancellations directly affected thousands of passengers who were scheduled to travel on the two routes. Many passengers subsequently gathered in the service areas of Kualanamu International Airport to reorganize their travel plans.Most passengers opted to reschedule their flights for Monday, September 7, 2026. Queues formed at several check-in counters, including counters B, C, and D.
Despite the crowds, passengers followed the designated queue system while waiting for information and rearranging their flight schedules. The situation was an immediate consequence of the flight cancellations triggered by volcanic activity that disrupted air traffic to Jakarta.In addition to rescheduling, some passengers opted for ticket refunds. Refund requests were submitted through the respective airlines' online sales channels. After receiving their refunds, the affected passengers subsequently purchased new tickets for departure the following day.
The situation demonstrates that passengers must adjust their travel plans according to developments in Anak Krakatau's eruptive activity as well as the operational status of airports in Jakarta.
PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi KNO spokesperson M Zul Andrika said the number of canceled flights could continue to increase if Anak Krakatau's eruptive activity intensifies.
"If the intensity of the volcanic ash eruption from Anak Krakatau continues to increase, with its alert status currently at Level 3 (Siaga), the number of canceled flights to Jakarta will certainly continue to rise," Zul Andrika said on Sunday afternoon, September 6, 2026.According to him, air traffic to several other cities in Indonesia remained normal. Flights from Kualanamu to Batam and Pekanbaru continued to operate safely and under normal conditions.
"Flights to Batam and Pekanbaru, as domestic destinations, remain safe and are operating normally. Operations are running as usual. The same applies to international flights that are not affected by Anak Krakatau's volcanic ash, allowing those flights to be operated safely," he added.As a result, the disruption to flight operations at Kualanamu International Airport on Sunday, September 6, 2026, was concentrated primarily on routes to Jakarta. Domestic flights to other regions not affected by the spread of volcanic ash continued to operate.
The airport operator urged passengers to recheck their flight status and schedules with their respective airlines before departing for the airport. The advisory was considered important because both volcanic activity and airport operating conditions could change at any time.
In its official notice, PT Angkasa Pura Aviasi urged passengers to obtain the latest flight-status information before traveling so they would be prepared for possible schedule changes, cancellations, or other adjustments."We understand that changes or adjustments to travel plans may cause inconvenience. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank all users of our services for their understanding and cooperation," he concluded. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28
