Bali Flights Cancelled Following Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia

Jakarta (AFP) – In the wake of a significant volcanic eruption, dozens of flights to and from Bali, a major Indonesian tourist destination, have been cancelled. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki occurred on Tuesday, launching an ash cloud approximately 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) into the atmosphere. As a result, authorities have raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level on a four-tier scale.

Flight Disruptions

The Indonesian airport authority, Angkasa Pura Indonesia, reported that multiple flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali were affected due to the volcanic activity. Airlines including Jetstar and Virgin Australia confirmed the cancellation of flights to various Australian cities. Additionally, Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore’s Tigerair, and China’s Juneyao Airlines reported cancellations as well.

In a statement made on Wednesday, Jetstar announced that while flights to and from Bali had been cancelled, some flights scheduled for the afternoon were expected to be delayed as the ash cloud was anticipated to dissipate later in the evening. The airline indicated that it was monitoring the situation closely.

Domestic flights operated by AirAsia to the popular tourist destination of Labuan Bajo on Flores were also impacted, with several cancellations reported.

Ongoing Volcanic Activity

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano standing at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet) located on the island of Flores, has raised serious safety concerns. Following the eruption, volcanic ash settled over several nearby villages, prompting evacuations in at least one area. The country’s disaster mitigation agency reported that tremors are still being detected, indicating continued volcanic activity.

According to geological authorities, residents, and tourists are advised to avoid activities within seven kilometers of the volcano’s crater. There is also an increased risk of hazardous lahar floods—rapid flows of volcanic debris—particularly during heavy rains, which could affect communities situated near riverbanks.

As of now, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties linked to the eruption. However, the situation remains fluid, and monitoring will continue.

Historical Context

This eruption is not unprecedented; Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has a history of explosive activity. A previous eruption in November resulted in nine fatalities and caused extensive flight cancellations, displacing thousands of local residents. The dual peaks of the Lewotobi volcano—Laki-Laki (meaning "man" in Indonesian) and its calmer counterpart, which is named after the Indonesian word for "woman"—underscore the volatile nature of the region.

Indonesia is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region known for its high seismic and volcanic activity, making such eruptions relatively common.

As travelers remain concerned about flight disruptions, authorities continue to assess the situation to ensure public safety while maintaining airport operations where possible.