Summary

Latest update: Summary – volcanic activity affecting flight schedules and regional airport operations

Volcanic activity from Mount Barujari, Lombok, is affecting flight schedules and the operation of regional airports including Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali) and Lombok International Airport. Disruption to flights could continue for some time. Contact your airline, tour operator and travel insurance provider for more information.

Around 220,000 British nationals visit Indonesia every year. Most visits are trouble free.

There is a high threat from terrorism. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country. You should be particularly vigilant during holiday periods such as Easter, Christmas, New Year, Nyepi (Balinese New Year, 21 March) and Independence Day (17 August). On 3 January 2015 the US Embassy warned of a potential threat against US associated hotels and banks in Surabaya. You should be particularly vigilant in these areas. See Terrorism .

You should exercise caution when travelling to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province (especially Palu, Poso and Tentena), Maluku Province (especially Ambon), Papua and West Papua Province due to potential for violence or violent conflict.

Clashes in late July 2014, resulted in the death of security service personnel and civilians in the Lanny Jaya regency of Papua province. If you’re travelling in the region you should exercise extreme caution.

Following the abduction of a British national in the Aceh region of Northern Sumatra in June 2013, you should exercise caution in the area. While the risk of abduction is not high, you should be aware that 1 French national and 5 Chinese nationals were abducted in separate incidents in 2008. See Local travel

Possession, trafficking and manufacture of drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. Some offences carry the death penalty. Don’t get involved. See Local laws and customs

Indonesia sits along a volatile seismic strip called the ‘Ring of Fire’. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur regularly and tsunamis are possible. Flash floods and more widespread flooding occur regularly. See Natural disasters

With the exception of Garuda Airlines, Mandala Airlines, Airfast and Ekspres Transportasi Antarbenua (operating as PremiAir) and Indonesia Air Asia, all other Indonesian passenger airlines are refused permission to operate services to the EU because of safety concerns. See Air travel

There have been a number of deaths and cases of serious illness of tourists in Indonesia, caused by drinking alcoholic drinks contaminated with methanol. See Safety and security

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.