BALINEWSID.COM, BADUNG — The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted flight operations at several airports in Indonesia, including Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, where 17 flights were cancelled or had their schedules adjusted amid heightened volcanic activity.

Head of the Geological Agency at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Lana Saria, said the distribution of volcanic ash was highly dependent on wind direction and speed at different altitudes.

“The direction of the ash plume is strongly influenced by wind direction and speed at various altitudes. The height of the eruption column, duration of the eruption, and amount of material released also greatly affect the distribution of the ash,” Lana said during an online press conference on Sunday (September 6, 2026).

She said the direction of the volcanic ash could change within a relatively short period. As a result, ash-dispersion projections must be continuously updated based on the latest meteorological conditions.

The Geological Agency reported that volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau had been detected spreading through the atmosphere toward Banten, parts of West Java, Jakarta, Lampung and Bengkulu.

The assessment was based on combined information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) through Magma Indonesia, Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and analysis of Himawari-9 satellite imagery by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).

The information is being used by aviation authorities to determine operational measures in order to maintain flight safety.

Lana said the potential impact could become more extensive if the eruption column rises higher, the eruption lasts longer, or winds carry volcanic ash into flight paths and populated areas.

However, she stressed that frequent eruptions did not necessarily mean that a larger eruption would occur.

“The Geological Agency will continue to evaluate developments in the volcano’s activity based on all available monitoring data,” she said.

Anak Krakatau’s activity began increasing in July 2026, with the highest level recorded on September 5. The volcano has since experienced repeated and continuous eruptions.

17 Ngurah Rai Flights Cancelled or Adjusted

The eruption has also affected flight operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali.

Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, Communication and Legal Division Head of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, confirmed that 17 flights had been cancelled and/or had their schedules adjusted as of Sunday.

“Following the increased volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau, a number of flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport have experienced cancellations and/or schedule adjustments,” Gede Eka said.

Of the 17 affected flights, five were inbound flights to Bali, while 12 were outbound flights from Bali.

The five cancelled inbound flights were:

• TransNusa 8B5106, Jakarta (CGK)-Denpasar (DPS), scheduled to arrive at 1:20 p.m. local time.
• TransNusa 8B5104, CGK-DPS, scheduled to arrive at 9:45 a.m.
• Indonesia AirAsia QZ808, CGK-DPS, scheduled to arrive at 11:10 a.m.
• Indonesia AirAsia QZ806, CGK-DPS, scheduled to arrive at 9:00 a.m.
• Indonesia AirAsia QZ802, CGK-DPS, scheduled to arrive at 1:05 p.m.

Meanwhile, cancelled outbound flights included Pelita Air IP105 on the DPS-CGK route on September 5, as well as flights operated by Garuda Indonesia, TransNusa, Indonesia AirAsia and Citilink on September 6.

Among them were Garuda Indonesia GA401 and GA403 on the DPS-CGK route, TransNusa 8B5105 and 8B5101, Indonesia AirAsia QZ809 and QZ807, Citilink QG197 on the DPS-Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP) route, Garuda Indonesia GA407, Citilink QG815, and Indonesia AirAsia QZ803.

Despite the cancellations, Gede Eka said overall airport operations and passenger services at Ngurah Rai remained normal.

“Flight operations and airport services at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport generally continue to operate normally and optimally,” he said.

PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia (InJourney Airports), which manages Ngurah Rai Airport, is coordinating with airlines to provide updates on flight schedules and assist affected passengers already at the airport.

The airport operator is also coordinating with AirNav Indonesia to monitor airspace potentially affected by the volcanic activity.

InJourney Airports has prepared service recovery assistance for passengers whose flights have been affected and who are already at the terminal.

Passengers are advised to check regularly with their respective airlines for the latest flight status before travelling to the airport.

For airport-related information, passengers can also contact the InJourney Airports Contact Center at 172.