Qatar Airways cancels four Jakarta flights amid volcanic ash disruption

Qatar Airways cancelled four flights between Doha and Jakarta on Sept. 7 as volcanic ash disrupted operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The affected services were QR954, QR955, QR956 and QR957.

The airline advised passengers to check their latest flight status before travelling to the airport. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate our passengers' patience and understanding,” Qatar Airways said. “The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.”

The cancellations followed Indonesia’s suspension of operations at six airports after Anak Krakatoa erupted. Ash from the volcano, located more than 150 kilometres away, reached the area around the country’s main international airport outside Jakarta. Emirates also reported delays or cancellations on its Dubai-Jakarta route on Sept. 5 and 6 after the temporary closure of Soekarno-Hatta.

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We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate our passengers' patience and understanding.

The eruption on Saturday, Sept. 5, sent a fountain of lava into the air and produced booming sounds heard up to 700 kilometres away. Volcanic ash can damage jet engines and reduce visibility, so airlines generally halt flights to affected airports until conditions are confirmed safe.

Indonesia’s transport ministry said more than 22,000 passengers had been affected and 209 flights disrupted, particularly flights to and from Singapore. Other affected international routes included Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur. Anak Krakatoa sits in the strait between Java and Sumatra and has remained sporadically active since emerging from the sea in the caldera formed after the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa.

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The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority.