Flights Affected by Anak Krakatau Eruption? Travelers Can Get a 100 Percent Refund

Air travel plans can shift within hours when volcanic activity disrupts airspace. This is exactly the situation facing travelers following the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau, which has spread volcanic ash and disrupted operations at multiple airports.

For passengers who have already purchased flight tickets, this scenario raises urgent questions: can tickets be refunded, can flights be rescheduled, or will passengers be forced to buy new tickets entirely?

In good news, authorities have confirmed affected passengers are entitled to several options. Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has ordered all airlines to uphold passenger rights, including full refunds and flight rescheduling.

"We have communicated that every airline must facilitate passenger rights to either reschedule their flight or obtain a ticket refund," the Transportation Minister confirmed in Jakarta on Sunday.

This measure was introduced because the flight disruptions are not caused by personal passenger decisions, but by flight safety conditions impacted by volcanic ash.

Full 100% Ticket Refunds Available

For travelers, the most critical concern is certainty over the money they have already paid for their tickets.

The Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that passengers whose flights are cancelled due to operational shutdowns at airports affected by Mount Anak Krakatau's volcanic ash are eligible for a complete refund.

Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa emphasized this policy applies to all flights cancelled as a direct result of the eruption impacts.

"Regarding flight cancellations and refunds, this policy applies for 100% of the ticket value," Lukman stated.

This means travelers with confirmed cancelled flights due to these conditions do not need to fear losing their full ticket payment. The 100% refund policy is implemented as a form of passenger protection for travel disrupted by aviation safety factors.

That said, all processing will be handled individually by each operating airline. Passengers are therefore advised to immediately check official airline channels for the latest flight status updates and refund application procedures.

The Transportation Minister also noted that as of Sunday, no comprehensive reports had been received regarding which airlines had already begun processing passenger refunds.

"We have not yet received reports on airlines that have started providing refund services," he added.

Rescheduling Options And Alternative Airports Also Available

Refunds are not the only available solution. Travelers who still wish to proceed with their journey may opt for flight rescheduling, or be re-routed through alternative airports as arranged by their airline.

Authorities have approved the use of several backup airports while operations at ash-affected airports remain suspended.

The designated alternative airports include Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang, Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Yogyakarta International Airport, and Adi Soemarmo International Airport in Solo.

Airlines may use these airports for both departures and arrivals, adjusted according to operational requirements and real-time volcanic ash dispersion patterns.

For travelers, this arrangement means disrupted trips do not automatically result in full cancellation. If a flight is re-routed, passengers will still be able to continue their journey via the designated alternative airport.

Authorities working with InJourney Airports are also providing free ground transport via train and bus for passengers whose flights are being diverted away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to these alternative locations.

All route changes and flight diversion announcements will be communicated directly to passengers by their respective airlines.

For this reason, travelers are strongly advised not to travel to the airport before receiving confirmed updated information about their flight status.

Eight Airports Remain Affected

As of Sunday evening, 6 September 2026, eight airports remain closed due to volcanic ash spread from Mount Anak Krakatau. This list includes Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, and Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung.

Also affected are Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, Budiarto Airport in Curug Tangerang, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas Airport in West Pesisir Lampung, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra.

Airport operational status remains dynamic, as it is entirely dependent on ongoing volcanic ash dispersion monitoring and aviation safety assessments.

In the latest update, the Ministry of Transportation announced that the closure of all eight airports has been extended until 09:00 WIB on 7 September 2026. Operations will only resume once flight safety conditions have been officially verified.

Flight disruptions caused by volcanic ash cannot be treated as standard flight delays. Volcanic ash particles pose critical hazards to aircraft engines and on-board systems, meaning temporary airport closures are a mandatory aviation safety precaution.

For travelers with scheduled flights over the coming days, the safest precaution is to verify flight status via official airline channels before departing for the airport.

If your flight is cancelled, you may elect to receive a full refund per official policy, or request a rescheduling option. If your flight is diverted, confirm the details of your new arrival airport and any complimentary connecting transport facilities provided.

With Mount Anak Krakatau activity still under close observation, flexibility remains the most important principle for travelers at this time. Delaying travel, adjusting departure schedules, or using alternative airports are far safer options than attempting to travel while airspace conditions have not been cleared as safe.