Indonesian authorities temporarily suspended UAE Flights & more operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano drifted into the airspace surrounding the country’s busiest airport. The closure affected 209 flights and roughly 22,800 passengers, with operations at Lampung’s Radin Inten II airport also disrupted.
Volcanic Ash Disrupts UAE-Jakarta Flights
Reuters reported that the eruption disrupted 301 flights in total, including 58 international services, as ash rose high above Sumatra and spread towards Java. Anak Krakatau, situated in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, is one of Indonesia’s most closely watched volcanoes.
Emirates Cancels, Delays Dubai-Jakarta Services
Emirates confirmed disruptions to its Dubai-Jakarta route on September 5 and 6 following the temporary airport closure. Flight EK356 from Dubai to Jakarta on September 6 was cancelled, while EK359 from Jakarta to Dubai on September 5 and EK358 from Dubai to Jakarta on September 6 were delayed. The airline said it was monitoring the situation closely and urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, apologising for the disruption while stressing that passenger and crew safety remained its top priority.
Etihad Services Between Abu Dhabi & Jakarta Delayed
Etihad Airways said flight EY472 from Zayed International Airport to Jakarta on September 6 was delayed because of the airport closure, with the return leg, EY473 from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi on September 7, subsequently delayed as well. An earlier Abu Dhabi-Jakarta service, EY474, and its return flight, EY475, were also affected. Etihad apologised to passengers and said its teams were working to assist those impacted.
Wider UAE Disruption
The Jakarta-related delays add to a mixed picture across UAE airports, with several carriers adjusting schedules for a mix of operational reasons. Some Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flights, including services to Kathmandu, Tashkent and Tbilisi, were also delayed on the same day, though the airline advised these were unrelated cancellations affecting other Kuwait and Bahrain routes separately.
Also Read: Volcano Erupts In Indonesia, Jakarta Airport Suspends Operations; Over 22,000 Passengers Affected
What Travellers Should Do
Passengers flying to or from Indonesia, or connecting through Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are advised to check their flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, keep contact details updated through “Manage Your Booking” services to receive alerts, and build in extra time in case of last-minute changes.
Cover Image Courtesy: Emirates/X
FAQs
How many flights were disrupted by the volcanic ash?
The disruption affected 301 flights in total, including 58 international services. At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport alone, 209 flights and around 22,800 passengers were affected.
Should passengers check their UAE-Jakarta flight status before travelling to the airport?
Yes. Emirates and Etihad have advised affected passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules may change because of the disruption.