Airports Throughout Indonesia Close Due To Volcanic Activity Disruption
Airfreight services in Indonesia are experiencing significant disruption following further eruptions from Anak Krakatau, which have spread volcanic ash across Jakarta and other parts of western Indonesia.
The volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, became increasingly active late last week and has continued to erupt over the weekend. Dry, windy conditions have carried ash over key aviation areas, creating a serious safety risk to aircraft engines and onboard systems.
Seven Indonesian airports remain closed, including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country’s principal international cargo gateway, and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. Soekarno-Hatta is expected to remain closed until at least 6pm local time on Monday, although reopening will depend on weather conditions and further volcanic activity.
More than 2,300 flight movements have been affected through cancellations, delays and diversions. Services at Bali and Medan have also been disrupted. Although no airports outside Indonesia have closed, UK freight may still be affected where it moves through regional hubs and connections including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Doha.
Even once airports reopen, the effects are likely to continue as airlines restore aircraft rotations, reposition equipment and clear cargo that has missed planned connections. This could mean short-term capacity pressure and slower transit times for affected shipments.
The risk around Anak Krakatau remains ongoing, with authorities warning that further eruptions are possible. Killick Martin is monitoring developments closely; please contact our team for current routing advice on urgent or time-sensitive shipments.
In a tragic weekend for airfreight news, Miami International Airport suffered a fatal crash when a cargo aircraft operating for Amazon Prime Air overran a runway while landing on Sunday. At least five people tragically lost their lives. The airport temporarily suspended all flights, although two runways had reopened by Sunday evening. Miami is a major gateway for Latin America and the Caribbean, but there is currently no confirmation of prolonged disruption to cargo operations.
