Published on : 07 Sep 2026
🚨 EMIRATES OFFICIAL STATEMENT RIGHT NOW: “CUSTOMERS CONNECTING THROUGH DUBAI TO JAKARTA WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR TRAVEL AT THEIR POINT OF ORIGIN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.”
One of the world’s most famous volcanoes is erupting. Mount Anak Krakatau — the “Child of Krakatoa,” born from the caldera of the 1883 eruption that produced the loudest sound in recorded human history — began a period of continuous eruption at 11:07 PM local time on Friday September 5, generating ash plumes reaching heights of up to 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) on the Sumatra side and 6,000 metres on the Java side, and booming sounds that could be heard up to 700 kilometres away. Two new eruptions were recorded on Sunday September 6. Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency has warned that “the probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high.” The volcano remains at Level III — Alert — the second-highest warning category in Indonesia’s four-tier system. Authorities have maintained a 3-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.
The aviation consequences are severe and still developing. Eight Indonesian airports — including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the second-busiest airport in Southeast Asia — have halted or restricted operations since Friday night as volcanic ash spread across western Indonesia and entered the airspace surrounding the capital. More than 1,500 flights have been grounded across the eight airports. The cumulative impact since September 5 covers flights that have been cancelled, delayed, or diverted, the Indonesian Transport Ministry reported on Monday — and the stranded passenger total has now risen to 270,000. At Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International alone, 964 flights were affected at the country’s main airport. Four airports have extended their closure from Monday morning until 6:00 PM local time today (11:00 AM GMT) — the situation remains live as this article is published.
Emirates has cancelled four Dubai–Jakarta flights today: EK356, EK357, EK358, and EK359 — the same flights were also grounded on Sunday. In a formal statement published on its website, Emirates announced: “Customers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.” Etihad Airways has delayed multiple Abu Dhabi–Jakarta services including EY472 and EY473. Singapore Airlines has cancelled Jakarta flights. AirAsia has halted services. Qatar Airways has cancelled Doha–Jakarta services for September 7. Schools across Jakarta and Lampung are closed as classes move online. Residents have been advised to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks. This is not a one-day disruption — it is a multi-day volcanic emergency with an uncertain recovery timeline. Here is every confirmed fact, every affected route, and exactly what every UK, US, and Australian passenger is owed.
Published: September 7, 2026 — Monday Volcano: Mount Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatoa) — Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra, Indonesia Eruption Began: 11:07 PM local time, Friday September 5, 2026 Continuous Eruption Duration: Approximately 25 hours (ended 12:04 AM Sunday) New Eruptions: Two additional eruptions recorded Sunday September 6 Ash Plume Height: Up to 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) — Sumatra side | 6,000 metres (20,000 feet) — Java side Sound Range: Booming sounds heard up to 700 km (435 miles) away Volcano Alert Level: Level III — Alert (second highest of four) Exclusion Zone: 3-kilometre radius around volcano Airports Closed: 8 Indonesian airports — Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) + 7 others Additional Closure: 4 airports extended closure until 6:00 PM local time today (11:00 AM GMT) Flights Grounded: 1,500+ flights across 8 airports (cumulative since September 5) Jakarta CGK flights alone: 964 flights affected Passengers Stranded: 270,000 (cumulative total — Indonesia Transport Ministry) Emirates: EK356, EK357, EK358, EK359 cancelled Monday + Sunday | “Customers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice” Etihad: EY472 (AUH→CGK) + EY473 (CGK→AUH) + multiple other routes delayed Singapore Airlines: Jakarta flights cancelled AirAsia: Services halted Qatar Airways: Doha–Jakarta cancelled September 7 Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Citilink: Domestic + international services cancelled Additional Disruption: Schools closed in Jakarta + Lampung — remote learning | Residents advised to wear masks + limit outdoor activities Compensation: Volcanic eruption = extraordinary circumstances → NO EU261/UK261 cash compensation | BUT: full refund + rebooking mandatory | EU261 duty of care unconditional Emirates Official Statement: Published on emirates.com — check before travelling to any airport
To understand why this eruption matters globally — not just for Indonesian passengers — you need to understand what Anak Krakatau is. In 1883, the original Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait erupted in one of the most violent volcanic events in recorded human history. The explosion was heard 4,800 kilometres away in Rodrigues Island near Mauritius. The ash plume reached 80 kilometres into the atmosphere. The resulting tsunami killed over 36,000 people across Java and Sumatra.
Anak Krakatau — “Child of Krakatoa” — emerged from the caldera of the 1883 eruption in 1927. It has been growing and erupting intermittently ever since. In December 2018, it experienced a flank collapse that generated a catastrophic tsunami killing over 400 people in Java and Sumatra. It remains one of the most closely monitored and most volatile volcanoes in the world.
The Sunda Strait separates Java and Sumatra — two of the world’s most densely populated islands. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia with 10+ million residents, sits approximately 150 kilometres from the volcano. The ash from Friday’s eruption reached the airspace directly over Indonesia’s main international gateway — the second-busiest airport in Southeast Asia — within hours of the eruption beginning.
The volcano began a period of continuous eruption at 11:07 PM local time on Friday, lasting about 25 hours before ending at 12:04 AM.
Anak Krakatau, which began erupting late on Friday, produced a fountain of lava and booming sounds that could be heard up to 700 km away, according to Indonesian authorities. Ash was identified as high as 6,000 metres on the Java side of the volcano, and a plume of up to 15,000 metres on the Sumatra side and in some parts of Banten province in Java.
Two new eruptions were recorded yesterday, the volcanology agency warned.
The four airports extended their closure from Monday morning to 6:00pm local time (1100 GMT), airport operator Angkasa Pura said in a social media post. activity at Mount Anak Krakatoa,” the airport authority said in an Instagram post.
Anak Krakatau remains at Level III, or “Alert,” and authorities have maintained a 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano.
Eight airports, including Soekarno-Hatta International, halted operations over the weekend after ash was detected in their airspace, disrupting thousands of flights and leaving more than 270,000 passengers stranded, the Transport Ministry reported on Monday.
More than 1,500 flights have been grounded across eight Indonesian airports, leaving approximately 170,000 passengers stranded after Mount Anak Krakatau produced heavy volcanic ash clouds that disrupted transportation and daily activities. The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation ordered the temporary closure of Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport through Sunday night due to airborne ash, affecting 964 flights at the country’s main airport alone.
“These figures are the cumulative operational impact since 5 September 2026 and cover flights that have been canceled, delayed, or diverted,” the ministry said in a statement.
| Metric | Confirmed Figure |
|---|---|
| Airports closed | 8 — including Jakarta CGK |
| Total flights grounded | 1,500+ |
| Jakarta CGK flights affected | 964 |
| Passengers stranded (cumulative) | 270,000 |
| Eruption duration (continuous) | ~25 hours (Friday 11:07 PM → Sunday 12:04 AM) |
| New eruptions since | 2 additional (Sunday September 6) |
| Ash plume height | 15,000 metres (Sumatra) |
| Closure extension today | Until 6:00 PM local / 11:00 AM GMT |
In a statement shared on its website, Emirates airline announced that four flights from Dubai — EK356/07, EK357/07, EK358/07 and EK359/07 — were cancelled on Monday. The flights were also grounded on Sunday.
“Customers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice,” the airline said.
This Emirates statement is the most operationally significant instruction for UK, US, and Australian passengers. It means: if you are booked on any flight from London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, or any other city with an onward connection through Dubai to Jakarta — do not go to the airport. Emirates will not check you in for the Jakarta leg. You will be stranded at your origin city having paid for transport to an airport where you will be turned away.
“Customers are advised to check flight status regularly, review the latest operational updates on emirates.com, and check their email for any notifications about changes or cancellations to their flights before travelling to the airport.”
Emirates customer service: ✅ emirates.com → Manage Booking → rebook or request refund ✅ Emirates UK: 0344 800 2777 ✅ Emirates US: 1-800-777-3999 ✅ Emirates Australia: 1300 303 777
Etihad Jakarta flights: EY472 from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta was delayed after Jakarta airport was temporarily closed because of volcanic ash from the Krakatau eruption. The return EY473 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi on September 7 is also delayed. Etihad: Several other flights from Zayed International Airport are delayed, including services to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Islamabad, Delhi, Peshawar, Bangkok, Nairobi and Kathmandu.
The Etihad disruption extends beyond Jakarta — indicating that the Gulf security tensions and Indonesian ash disruption are combining to create wider operational pressure across Etihad’s entire network today. Passengers on any Etihad flight today should check their specific service.
Etihad customer service: ✅ etihad.com → Manage My Trip ✅ Etihad UK: 0345 608 1225 ✅ Etihad US: 1-877-690-0767 ✅ Etihad Australia: 1300 532 215
Singapore Airlines, AirAsia halt Jakarta flights after Anak Krakatau ash — Volcanic ash from Indonesia’s erupting Mount Anak Krakatau has forced Singapore Airlines and AirAsia to cancel or reschedule Jakarta flights, stranding thousands of travelers across the region.
Singapore Airlines is a critical carrier for UK and Australian passengers routing through Singapore to Jakarta or onward Indonesian destinations. AirAsia is the dominant low-cost carrier for intra-Asia connections into Indonesia.
Qatar Airways has cancelled several Doha–Jakarta flights for September 7.
Qatar Airways is currently operating as the primary alternative routing hub for UK and Australian passengers who cannot use Dubai due to the 1-flight-per-day cap on foreign carriers at DXB. The Qatar Jakarta cancellations mean that even the “Dubai alternative” routing is disrupted today.
Ash from the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau wreaked havoc for aviation around the region over the weekend. The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of flights at Jakarta’s main international airport, the second-busiest in Southeast Asia, with cancellations extending into Monday.
Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Citilink, and Batik Air — Indonesia’s major domestic and international carriers — have all cancelled services at the eight affected airports. Citilink passengers were photographed queuing for ticket refunds at Terminal 1C of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
While the complete official list of all eight airports has not been individually named in every source, the confirmed affected airports based on primary Indonesian transport ministry reporting include:
| Airport | Code | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soekarno-Hatta International | CGK | Jakarta, Java | 🔴 Partial closure — 4 airports closed until 6 PM |
| Halim Perdanakusuma | HLP | Jakarta (secondary) | 🔴 Affected |
| Radin Inten II | TKG | Lampung | 🔴 Affected — nearest province to volcano |
| Fatmawati Soekarno | BKS | Bengkulu | 🔴 Affected |
| Minangkabau International | PDG | Padang, Sumatra | 🟡 Affected |
| Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II | PLM | Palembang, Sumatra | 🟡 Affected |
| Depati Amir | PGK | Bangka Belitung | 🟡 Affected |
| Additional regional airport | TBD | Western Indonesia | 🟡 Affected |
Any UK passenger who booked London Heathrow → Dubai (Emirates) → Jakarta has a cancelled final leg. Do not travel to Heathrow today. Emirates will not accept you for travel at your point of origin. Contact Emirates immediately at 0344 800 2777 or emirates.com.
If booked via Abu Dhabi (Etihad): your EY472 or EY473 service is delayed. Contact Etihad at 0345 608 1225.
If booked via Singapore (Singapore Airlines + SQ): your Singapore–Jakarta segment is cancelled. Contact Singapore Airlines at 0800 096 0163 (UK freephone).
If booked via Doha (Qatar Airways): your Doha–Jakarta segment is cancelled. Contact Qatar at 0330 912 7415 (UK).
Australian passengers are disproportionately affected by this disruption. Australia’s proximity to Indonesia, the huge tourism market between both countries, and the routing of most Australia→UK flights via Dubai, Singapore, or Doha means that this eruption is touching nearly every major Australian international route simultaneously.
Qantas passengers via Singapore connecting to Jakarta: Singapore–Jakarta leg affected by Singapore Airlines suspension. Contact Qantas: 131 313 (Australia).
Virgin Australia passengers via Doha: Qatar Airways Doha–Jakarta cancelled. Contact Virgin Australia: 13 67 89.
Direct flights Australia→Bali (Denpasar — DPS): Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) is not among the eight confirmed closed airports as of this article’s publication — check your specific flight, as ash dispersion can extend disruption rapidly.
Any US passenger booked New York/Los Angeles/Chicago → Dubai (Emirates) → Jakarta faces the same Emirates cancellation. Do not travel to your US departure airport without checking emirates.com first.
A volcanic eruption is the clearest possible example of an extraordinary circumstance under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK261. Natural geological events entirely beyond any airline’s control or anticipation qualify unambiguously as extraordinary circumstances. This means:
❌ EU261/UK261 cash compensation of €250–€600 does NOT apply for cancellations caused by the Anak Krakatau eruption ❌ US DOT additional cash compensation does NOT apply for weather/natural disaster cancellations
However — and this is critical — the absence of cash compensation does not mean you have no rights. Your rights are substantial:
| Right | Available? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Full cash refund | ✅ YES — UNCONDITIONAL | If your flight is cancelled for any reason including volcanic eruption — cash to original payment method |
| Free rebooking | ✅ YES | On next available service — same airline or partner |
| Meals and refreshments | ✅ YES | From time of cancellation notification — proportionate to wait |
| Hotel accommodation | ✅ YES | If stranded overnight at transit airport |
| Transport to/from hotel | ✅ YES | Taxi or shuttle at airline’s expense |
| €250–€600 compensation | ❌ NO | Volcanic eruption = extraordinary circumstances |
If you choose a full refund rather than rebooking: ✅ emirates.com → Manage Booking → Request Refund ✅ Refund to original payment method — not a travel voucher ✅ Emirates processing time: 7–10 business days normally
The exact phrase: “My Emirates flight EK356/357/358/359 to Jakarta was cancelled due to the Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption. I am requesting a full cash refund to my original payment method. I do not accept a travel voucher.”
Passengers stranded at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, or Doha due to the cancelled Jakarta onward leg are entitled to: ✅ Hotel accommodation from your connecting airline (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Singapore Airlines) ✅ Meals and refreshments from the time of stranding ✅ Transport to and from hotel
Emirates confirmed: “All affected passengers from these flights were offered hotel accommodation in Dubai” (in reference to the same EK356/357/358/359 cancellation pattern).
Ash from the volcano has reached heights of up to 15,000 metres, with schools in Jakarta and Lampung switching to remote learning. “The probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high,” Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency warned, cautioning that disruption may continue.
This is the most important sentence for every passenger trying to plan around this disruption: the probability of further eruptions remains high. Anak Krakatau is not a one-eruption volcano — it has been episodically active for nearly 100 years since emerging from the sea in 1927. The December 2018 flank collapse eruption was preceded by months of lower-level activity. The current Level III alert status reflects that authorities believe the eruption cycle has not ended.
Realistic timeline scenarios:
Best case — ash disperses within 24–48 hours: If winds shift and ash dispersal reduces to safe levels, airports may begin reopening from late today through Tuesday. Airlines would begin reinstating services 12–24 hours after airport reopening confirmation. Passengers currently stranded could reach Jakarta by Wednesday at the earliest.
Medium case — disruption extends 3–5 days: Multiple Indonesian volcanic eruption events in recent years have resulted in 3–7 day closures. If Anak Krakatau continues erupting at current intensity through the week, Jakarta and regional airports may remain closed or restricted through Wednesday–Thursday.
Worst case — extended closure: If the eruption intensifies (Level IV — Caution would be declared), closure could extend to 1–2 weeks. This is the least likely scenario based on current data but cannot be excluded given the volcano monitoring agency’s warning about high probability of further eruptions.
For passengers with travel this week: Do not book replacement travel until you have a confirmed airport reopening date and confirmed flight restoration from your airline. Book refundable alternatives only.
Step 1 — Do not go to the airport Emirates has stated explicitly: customers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. Do not drive to Heathrow, JFK, LAX, Sydney, or any departure airport for a Dubai–Jakarta or any other UAE–Jakarta connection today. You will be turned away.
Step 2 — Check your airline’s official website — not third-party apps Go directly to emirates.com, etihad.com, singaporeair.com, or qatarairways.com. Search your flight number. Third-party booking platforms (Expedia, Google Flights, Kayak) may not reflect real-time cancellation status accurately during a rapidly evolving volcanic disruption event.
Step 3 — Contact your airline to rebook or refund
Step 4 — If stranded at a transit airport (Dubai, Singapore, Doha, Abu Dhabi) Go immediately to your airline’s transfer desk and say: “My onward flight to Jakarta has been cancelled due to the Anak Krakatau volcanic eruption. I need hotel accommodation and meal vouchers while I wait for rebooking.” Keep every hotel, taxi, and meal receipt — submit within 30 days.
Step 5 — Contact your travel insurer A volcanic eruption is one of the clearest “natural disaster” triggers in most comprehensive travel insurance policies. Call your insurer today to notify them of the disruption and ask about:
Step 6 — Monitor Indonesian government and BMKG updates The Indonesian meteorological agency BMKG and the volcanology agency PVMBG post regular ash dispersion forecasts. Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation provides the most authoritative updates on eruption status. Monitor: vsi.esdm.go.id (Indonesian volcanology agency).
| Resource | Contact / Link |
|---|---|
| Emirates Flight Status + Statement | emirates.com/flight-status |
| Emirates UK | 0344 800 2777 |
| Emirates US | 1-800-777-3999 |
| Emirates Australia | 1300 303 777 |
| Etihad Manage My Trip | etihad.com/en/manage |
| Etihad UK | 0345 608 1225 |
| Singapore Airlines | singaporeair.com |
| Qatar Airways | qatarairways.com |
| Garuda Indonesia | garuda-indonesia.com |
| Soekarno-Hatta Airport | soekarnohatta-airport.co.id |
| Indonesia Volcanology Agency (PVMBG) | vsi.esdm.go.id |
| BMKG Ash Advisory | bmkg.go.id |
| FCDO Indonesia Travel Advice | gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia |
| Australian DFAT Indonesia Advice | smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia |
| US State Dept Indonesia | travel.state.gov |
| UK CAA Passenger Rights | caa.co.uk/passengers |
Mount Anak Krakatau — one of the world’s most famous and dangerous volcanoes — began a continuous eruption at 11:07 PM local time on Friday September 5, 2026, sending ash plumes to 15,000 metres and producing booming sounds heard 700 kilometres away. Eight Indonesian airports have been closed since Friday night. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport — the second-busiest in Southeast Asia — has had 964 flights affected. The cumulative toll across all eight airports: 1,500+ flights grounded and 270,000 passengers stranded. Four airports remain closed until 6:00 PM local time today. Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency has warned that the probability of further eruptions remains high.
Emirates has cancelled EK356, EK357, EK358, and EK359 today and yesterday — and has stated formally that customers connecting through Dubai to Jakarta will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. Etihad, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, and Qatar Airways have all cancelled or delayed Jakarta services. Schools in Jakarta and Lampung are closed.
The six things every affected passenger must do right now:
For More Resources:
Related Articles:
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
Lastest News
2nd Floor, 39, Above Kirti Club, DLF Industrial Area, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110015
Travel Tourister is a leading Travel portal where we introduce travellers to trusted travel agents to make their journey hasselfree, memorable And happy. Travel Tourister is a platform where travellers get Tour packages ,Hotel packages deals through trusted travel companies And hoteliers who are working with us across the world. We always try to find new and more travel agents and hoteliers from every nook and corners across the world so that you could compare the deals with different travel agents and hoteliers and book your tour or hotel with the one you have chosen according to your taste and budget.
Copyright © Travel Tourister, India. All Rights Reserved
Call
Enquiry