PM Gusmão stranded in Indonesia as volcanic ash disrupts flights
DILI, 7 September 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão’s return to Dili was delayed on Monday after volcanic ash from Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau disrupted flights at six airports across the region.
Because of the flight delay, Gusmão will remain in Indonesia until flights resume.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has stepped up round-the-clock monitoring of Mount Anak Krakatau and its potential impact on aviation, atmospheric conditions and sea conditions around the Sunda Strait.
BMKG said satellite imagery analysed at 8 a.m. local time on Sunday showed two clusters of volcanic ash extending across areas from Banten, Jakarta and West Java to Bengkulu.
The agency said winds at different altitudes had carried the ash across the region, creating potential risks for aircraft operating along affected flight routes.
The Soekarno-Hatta Meteorological Station issued its first Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) warning at about 11:23 p.m. on September 4 following the eruption. By September 6, authorities had issued 18 SIGMET warnings to support aviation safety.
Despite concerns over the volcanic activity, Indonesia’s multi-sensor Tsunami Early Warning System detected no unusual changes in sea levels that would indicate a tsunami linked to the eruptions as of 7:30 a.m. on September 6.
Gusmão has been in Indonesia since August 29 for an official visit that included a series of bilateral engagements, notably negotiations aimed at finalising the permanent maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
TATOLI
