Ash Disruptions Can Still Affect Labuan Bajo Flights

Labuan Bajo — Flights to Labuan Bajo can be disrupted even when conditions at Komodo Airport remain suitable, because ash from Anak Gunung Krakatau may affect the aircraft’s origin airport or another airport in its rotation, according to reports dated 7 September 2026.

A report from a local news outlet said visibility at Komodo Airport was 8–10 kilometres and that the possibility of volcanic ash reaching Labuan Bajo directly was relatively small. It added that changes in atmospheric conditions could alter the ash’s movement, so monitoring remained necessary.

RRI reported the same explanation from BMKG, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency. BMKG said local weather in Labuan Bajo remained relatively conducive for flights, while ash-related restrictions at another airport could still cause a flight serving Labuan Bajo to be cancelled.

Why this matters to Labuan Bajo travellers

A clear runway at Komodo Airport does not establish that an entire flight rotation is operational. RRI said an aircraft scheduled to fly to Labuan Bajo may be affected if its previous airport, its origin airport or another airport on the route is closed or operating under restrictions because of volcanic ash.

The disruption can therefore spread through connected routes. A local news report said a Ministry of Transportation operational note dated 7 September 2026 recorded eight cancelled Jakarta–Labuan Bajo and return flights. It identified Batik Air Indonesia, Indonesia AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia and Super Air Jet among the affected airlines.

RRI said passengers should check the status of their flight with the airline and monitor the condition of the originating airport, rather than relying only on weather at Komodo Airport. It also reported that operational decisions could change as authorities assessed the airspace and ash movement.

BMKG’s assessment, as reported by RRI, was that direct ash impact on Labuan Bajo was unlikely but still required monitoring because atmospheric dynamics could change the direction and distribution of the ash.

Sources

• RRI — public radio news report
• detik.com
• afu.id