SCI: Anak Krakatau Ash Threatens Flights and Trade Flows

Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau is putting Indonesia’s air cargo network under pressure, with Supply Chain Indonesia warning that disruptions could spread from airports into production and trade.

SCI CEO Setijadi said drifting ash could lead to airspace closures, flight cancellations, rerouting, schedule changes and cargo backlogs. The risks are especially significant for supply chains linked to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Indonesia’s main gateway for high-value and time-sensitive goods.

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As a result, production and trade activities are affected, especially for networks connected to Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which serves as the main gateway for delivering high-value and time-sensitive goods.

Non-oil and gas exports through the airport reached $20.77 billion in 2025. SCI put the indicative gross trade flow at $84.03 million per day. Imports totaled 174,900 tons a year, or an average of 479 tons per day, using data from Statistics Indonesia and the Trade Ministry’s Trade Single Data.

Setijadi calculated that an eight-hour disruption could delay around $28 million in trade through Soekarno-Hatta. That figure includes $9.04 million in exports and $18.97 million in imports. He stressed that the calculation covers only international trade through the airport and does not represent a direct loss estimate.

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These calculations only cover international trade through Soekarno-Hatta, excluding domestic deliveries, and are not direct loss estimates.

SCI urged the government to establish cross-agency disaster logistics protocols. It also called on businesses to prepare continuity plans, identify alternative airports and transport modes, secure standby logistics capacity, adjust safety stocks for critical raw materials, and arrange alternative warehousing and cold-chain facilities.

The Transportation Ministry kept seven airports closed through 11:59 p.m. local time on Sept. 7. The affected facilities included Soekarno-Hatta, Budiarto, Halim Perdanakusuma, Pondok Cabe, Radin Inten II, Muhammad Taufiq Kiemas and Husein Sastranegara airports. Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said schedule changes disrupted 2,339 domestic flights and 622 international routes, affecting 341,000 passengers.

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Importers must adjust safety stock levels for critical raw materials, while exporters should secure alternative warehousing and cold chain facilities.