Krakatau Volcano's Eruption Disrupts Flights, Air Quality, and Schools Across Indonesia

The eruption of Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano has had widespread impacts, forcing thousands of flights to be canceled or delayed, worsening air quality in areas including Jakarta, and compelling schools to implement distance learning (PJJ). The eruption, which began on Friday (4/9), has been accompanied by rumbling and vibrations. The volcanic activity from the mountain located in the Sunda Strait has affected Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, and West Java. The Ministry of Transportation stated that a total of eight airports in Indonesia were affected by the eruption, with hundreds of thousands of passengers impacted by flight delays. As of Monday morning (7/9), six airports remained closed, with the closure period extended. These include Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) (CLOSED 23.20 - 08.59 WIB), Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP) (CLOSED 23.26 - 08.59 WIB), Radin Inten II Airport (TKG) (CLOSED 23.23 - 08.59 WIB), Husein Sastranegara Airport (BDO) (CLOSED 23.31 - 08.59 WIB), Budiarto Curug Airport (RTO) (CLOSED 23.29 - 08.59 WIB), and Pondok Cabe Airport (PCB) (CLOSED 23.36 - 08.59 WIB). Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi previously reported that 1,558 flights were delayed, stranding 170,000 passengers. He emphasized that airlines are obligated to fulfill the rights of affected passengers according to applicable regulations. "Airlines are obliged to provide services and handling to affected passengers, including information regarding flight status changes and handling options in accordance with applicable provisions," he said. The government has provided alternative airports such as Kertajati, Juanda, YIA, Semarang, and Solo. For passengers whose flights are rerouted to these alternative airports, free onward land transportation via buses and trains will be provided. "Free alternative transportation. InJourney will provide the airport to be used, in coordination with Angkasa Pura and airlines. Passengers will be informed by the airlines if the airlines want to take off and land at the alternative airport," he explained. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) noted that volcanic ash clouds had reached parts of DKI Jakarta, Banten, and West Java. Based on BMKG monitoring at 04.00 WIB, there were two clusters of volcanic ash dispersal from Anak Krakatau. The first cluster moved northeast to south, covering parts of DKI Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and surrounding waters up to an altitude of 20,000 feet. Meanwhile, the second cluster moved southwest to northwest with altitudes up to 50,000 feet. This spread covers parts of Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, the southern part of the Sunda Strait, and the Indian Ocean west of Bengkulu, Lampung, and Banten. The Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH DKI Jakarta) urged residents to reduce exposure to the volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau reaching Jakarta and to limit outdoor activities. "We understand the public's concerns. The most important step right now is to reduce exposure and protect families, especially children, the elderly, and family members with respiratory problems," said Head of DLH DKI Jakarta, Dudi Gardesi, to reporters on Sunday (6/9/2026). The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) also took steps following the spread of volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau eruption to the Jakarta area. BNPB intensified weather modification operations throughout the day and night. "To make the conditions more conducive, especially in DKI Jakarta, of course, media colleagues feel that there is already a lot of volcanic ash around our settlements, today we are also carrying out weather modification operations," said Head of BNPB, Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, in an online press conference on Sunday (6/9). Suharyanto said that aircraft for weather modification operations had been prepared at Pondok Cabe. These operations will be intensified until tonight. Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, stated that schools in heavily affected areas could adjust their learning methods, including implementing distance learning (PJJ), prioritizing the safety of students and teachers. "In areas affected by the Anak Gunung Krakatau eruption, learning adjustments can be made by referring to the air pollution standard index values in the affected areas. And regarding learning activities in areas that are quite heavily affected, several have been reported in Banten, especially in Serang Regency. Then for Lampung, it is in Tanggamus, Bandar Lampung, and South Lampung," said Mu'ti in an online press conference on the Bakom YouTube account, Sunday (6/9/2026). Mu'ti reminded that the safety of school residents, students, and teachers is the top priority. Therefore, areas heavily affected by the Anak Gunung Krakatau eruption can adjust their learning activities starting Monday (7/9). Several regions, including DKI Jakarta, responded directly to the post-eruption conditions. The Jakarta Provincial Government is implementing PJJ for all schools in response to the spread of volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau. PJJ will be implemented starting Monday, September 7, 2026. "We want to ensure that children continue to learn in a safe and comfortable environment. Therefore, for the time being, learning will be done from home. Parents don't need to panic, because the learning process will still continue," said Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Education Office, Nahdiana, in an official statement from the DKI Provincial Government, Sunday (6/9/2026). Similarly, the Banten Provincial Government issued a Circular Letter on the implementation of distance learning for SMA, SMK, and SKh following the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano. The PJJ process will be carried out for three days. This decision follows up on Circular Letter Number T-400.3.1/4237/Dindikbud/2026 issued by the Head of the Banten Provincial Education and Culture Office, Jamaluddin. PJJ will be carried out on Monday (7/9), Tuesday (8/9), and Wednesday (9/9). Jamaluddin stated that the regulation was made to maintain the health, safety, and comfort of students and school residents, based on the directive of the Governor of Banten, Andra Soni. "All educational units at the SMA, S